Computer-Implemented System And Method For Managing On-Street Valet Parking

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented system and method for providing basic valet parking through centrally-managed parking services is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors also physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Use the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the parking spaces is accepted through the server for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor is sensed during the time period. Availability of each parking space is indicated through the nearest parking availability indicator throughout the time period based upon the current time and use by the valet service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/393,337,filed Oct. 14, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference.

FIELD

This application relates in general to valet parking and, in particular,to a computer-implemented system and method for managing on-street valetparking.

BACKGROUND

Public roads primarily facilitate motor vehicle traffic. Vehicle parkingis ordinarily offered as a secondary benefit incident to vehiclethroughway. Consequently, parking is an inherently limited publicresource. Within an urban environment, local government generallyregulates parking at curbside, on public roads, in municipal parkinglots, and on other public property through a regulatory scheme that bothprovides revenue generation and promotes public safety and health.Commonly, public parking is regulated through a scheme of fees assessedthrough parking meters for fixed time period parking, by issuance ofpermits for residential, commercial, or special use parking, and throughzoning that regulates permissible uses of property, including parking.Parking on privately-owned property is often offered through hourly feesor some form of parking contract.

Meeting the parking needs of motorists requires more than simply findinga balance between supply and demand, yet the capability to efficientlyallocate and manage on-street parking remains elusive, even when parkingneeds are significant, recurring, and known ahead of time. For instance,urban parking spaces characteristically undergo periods of widely skeweddemand and utilization, with low demand and light use in some periods,often during the night, and heavy demand and use at other times. Aswell, merely finding available parking is only the start, as subsequentoccupancy of a parking space must also be permissible under applicablerules. Parking regulations, though, are often complex and confusing,with time limits on parking in residential and business zones, parkingenforcement undertaken during working hours in neighborhood zones,parking enforcement of loading zone rules and rules governing parkingnear fire hydrants occurring at all hours, and exceptions to parkingregulations made to accommodate select holidays, depending upon themunicipality.

Consequently, the impact of regulated control over on-street parkingaffects all motorists, as well as urban residents, local businesses, andother parties that use or rely upon on-street parking, such asbusinesses that offer valet parking services to their customers. Driversseeking a place to park their motor vehicles are most immediatelyimpacted by regulated parking control. Looking for a parking spacewastes time, contributes to traffic congestion, creates frustration, andgenerates pollution, while violating parking rules, such as by allowinga parking meter to expire, can result in parking tickets, fines, ortowing. Motorists therefore need ways to more conveniently andefficiently determine on-street parking availability and ensure parkingregulation compliance once parked.

Valet parking services offer motorists with an alternative to findingparking themselves, which can be particularly helpful in an urbanenvironment. A parking valet is responsible for finding a parking spacefor a customer's car and often also for retrieving the car upon thecustomer's return. Typically, valet parking might be provided for aspecial event, such as a black tie gala, or on a recurring basis by alocal business, such as a restaurant, bar, or retail store. Businessessometimes employ their own valets or contract with a valet parkingservice. The valets park their customers' vehicles from a drop-offlocation that is generally located convenient to the business'sentrance, which the customer is expected to patronize. Although thecustomers avoid the hassles of self-parking, valets still face the sameproblems of locating available on-street parking if reserved parkingspaces for valet parking only are unavailable, especially where parkinglots are scarce. Thus, many valet services only operate in the eveningor during off-peak times to increase parking opportunities for theirvalets. Conventional valet parking services solutions focus on vehiclelocation and retrieval and fail to adequately alleviate fundamentalconcerns by valets over finding suitable parking for their customers'cars, particularly in urban settings.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,557, issued Jan. 20, 1998, toSchuette, discloses a computerized valet parking system. A vehicletracking system has accounting and operational data gathering functions.A first data transceiver inputs and retrieves a first set of vehicleidentification data, and a second data transceiver located at a remotevehicle parking facility inputs and retrieves a second set of vehicleidentification data. The first and second sets of vehicle identificationdata are stored by a central processor and the second data transceiveroutputs vehicle pickup data for retrieval purposes in response to avehicle retrieval command from the central processor, thereby allowing acustomer to remain within a building until his vehicle has beenretrieved.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0106514, published Apr. 29,2010, to Cox, discloses travel-related services provided via a satellitedigital audio radio system (SDARS). In one embodiment, information onparking garages near a certain location and their available parkingspaces is provided as a parking data service to users of SDARS. Aparking service may be provided to devices that incorporate a navigationsystem or as a companion to a traffic data service. The parking servicecan involve a variety of components, including a parking server, aparking console, a parking protocol, a parking user interface, andparking provisioning. The parking service may provide any suitableinformation about the parking garages in a garage map or a garage list,such as garage services, including whether valet parking is available.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,239, issued Sep. 28, 2010, to Kaplan et al.,discloses a method of operating a navigation system to provide parkingavailability information, including any amenities provided, such asvalet parking services. A destination location is obtained and a parkingfacility proximate the destination location is identified. Historicparking availability information for the parking facility is providedbased on past parking availability patterns. A route from an origin tothe parking facility may be calculated and guidance for following theroute provided through a navigation system.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0309760, published Dec. 17,2009, to Chew, discloses an apparatus and method for locating,identifying, and tracking vehicles in a parking area. The occupancystatus of parking spaces is provided by processing images to provideinformation regarding locations and numbers of empty and occupiedspaces, and guidance information to locate each space. Additionally,live parking lot images can be displayed in a digital map to assistusers, such as drivers, customer service personnel, valet servicesattendants, and others, to visually locate and identify a vehicle ofinterest.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0276236, published Nov. 5,2009, to Adamczyk et al., discloses implementing a vehicle locatorservice. Location identification information indicates the presence of avehicle at a parking pace and an occupancy record is created thatincludes object identification information and location identificationinformation. The parking area may provide value-added services, suchvalet parking. A request to locate a vehicle during an exiting processis received. The location identification information from the occupancyrecord associated with the object identification information isretrieved and the location identification information of the parkingspace is presented to the operator. The location identificationinformation is received via a radio frequency identifier associated withthe parking space. The parking location may be reserved for preferredcustomers, such that the automatic identification information providedvia the radio frequency identifier includes a unique code thatdistinguishes the location's occupant from other users.

U.S. patent Application Publication No. 2005/0280555, published Sep. 22,2005, to Warner, VI, discloses dynamically managing parking, whichincludes the use of an intelligent software engine that interfaces witha wireless mesh network of multi-channel communication devices. Aparking transceiver mesh network node located proximate to one or moreparking spaces provides accurate and current data to a database ofavailable parking spaces. Parking availability algorithms are used toanalyze this data to select optimal parking spaces for drivers andpredict future availability. The databases may include all subscriberinformation for parking services, including valet services.

Conventional parking solutions typically focus on either determiningavailability of parking spaces for valet parking use, or identifyingwhere valet parking services are provided. Therefore, there is a needfor equipping valet parking services with a comprehensive set ofservices that allow more flexible types of valet parking, instead ofsimply a convenient alternative to self-parking.

SUMMARY

One embodiment provides a computer-implemented system and method forproviding basic valet parking through centrally-managed parkingservices. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managedthrough a server. A plurality of smart parking devices that are eachphysically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfacedto the server. A plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are alsoeach physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces areinterfaced to the server. A plurality of parking availability indicatorsthat are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces areinterfaced to the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces isreserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the parkingspaces is accepted through the server for use by the valet service for aperiod of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motorvehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor is sensed duringthe time period. Availability of each parking space is indicated throughthe nearest parking availability indicator throughout the time periodbased upon the current time and use by the valet service.

A further embodiment provides a computer-implemented system and methodfor providing vehicle-tracked valet parking through centrally-managedparking services. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces aremanaged through a server. A plurality of smart parking devices that areeach physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces areinterfaced to the server. A plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors thatare also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spacesare interfaced to the server. A plurality of parking availabilityindicators that are each associated with at least one of the parkingspaces are interfaced to the server. Use of a plurality of the parkingspaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for theparking spaces is accepted through the server for use by the valetservice for a period of time. The request is granted if available overany other reservations stored in the server for the reserved parkingspaces. Occupancy of each reserved parking space by a motor vehicle issensed and the identities of the motor vehicles that are occupying thereserved parking spaces are determined through the nearest vehicleoccupancy sensor. Availability of each parking space is indicatedthrough the nearest parking availability indicator throughout the timeperiod based upon the current time and use by the valet service.

Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, wherein is described embodiments of the invention by way ofillustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention.As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and differentembodiments and its several details are capable of modifications invarious obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and thescope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detaileddescription are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not asrestrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer-implemented system formanaging on-street valet parking in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing, by way of example, a smart parkingdevice with a vehicle sensor and parking indicator for use in the systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the parking services ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a show parkingavailability service for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A-5B are flow diagrams showing a routine for a “log occupancy”service for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a “check-in” service foruse in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a “Hold This Space”service for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a routine for determining parking termsfor use in the routine of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a reservation service foruse in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a routine for an extend reservationservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a “Find My Car” servicefor use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a recurring reservationsservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 13A-13B are flow diagrams showing a routine for a guestreservation service for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a space renting servicefor use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a validate parkingservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a parking couponsservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a customer priorityparking service for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a tourist privilegesservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a scheduled deliveriesservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a basic valet parkingservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 21A-21B are flow diagrams showing a routine for a valet parkingservice with vehicle location tracking for use in the parking servicesof FIG. 1 in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIGS. 22A-22B are flow diagrams showing a routine for a distributedon-street valet parking service for use in the parking services of FIG.1 in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a guided enforcementservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a schedule street eventservice for use in the parking services of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Infrastructure

Real-time and account-based parking services through a network of smartparking devices for controlling and managing all manner of motor vehicleparking. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer-implemented system10 for managing on-street valet parking in accordance with oneembodiment. For simplicity, parking, whether controlled by localgovernment or privately owned, and regardless of whether curbside, on adriveway, in cutouts in front of a driveway, within a parking lot, or inother physical locations will henceforth be called “on-street parking”or simply “parking.”

A suite of parking services 12 is provided through one or more servers11, which are located within a network of smart parking devices 13 a-c,sensors 14 a-c, and parking services kiosks 19. The parking services 12are account-based and enable motorists and other users to determine theavailability of, reserve, and efficiently use parking, as furtherdescribed below in detail beginning with reference to FIG. 3.

The parking devices 13 a-c and parking services kiosks 19 are associatedwith one or more parking spaces and allow motorists to reserve ortransact on-street parking through the parking services server 11. Eachparking device 13 a-c can include a physical parking availabilityindicator (not shown), either directly interfaced with the parkingdevice 13 a-c or remotely connected through the parking services server11. Physical parking availability indicators audibly or visually signalparking availability to motorists. In a further embodiment, the parkingavailability indicators are virtual and are provided electronically tomotorists using their mobile devices, including notebook or tabletcomputers 15, smart telephones 16 and similar personal electronicdevices, and on-board navigational or informational devices 17. Finally,each parking space has a sensor 14 a-c that determines whether a parkingspace is occupied by a motor vehicle, either directly interfaced withthe parking device 13 a-c or remotely connected through the parkingservices server 11.

The parking services 12 and associated parking devices 13 a-c andparking services kiosks 19, as well as mobile devices 15, 16, 17, whereapplicable, implement network security protocols to ensure securecommunications. As necessary different secure communications schemes andlevels can be applied over all communications. For example, public keycryptography could be used in various secure protocols to protectcommunications between all system elements. The specific components willnow be discussed in detail.

Multi-Function Smart Parking Devices

Smart parking devices are located at or near parking spaces. FIG. 2 isan illustration 20 showing, by way of example, a smart parking device 21with a vehicle sensor 22 and parking availability indicator 23 for usein the system 10 of FIG. 1. Each parking device 21 is interconnectedover a network with the parking services server 11. The parking device21 can be networked into the parking services 12 through a wired orwireless connection. In the simplest case, each parking device 21 servesa single parking space 24 in a one-to-one relationship. Alternatively,each parking device 21 could serve a plurality of parking spaces 24 in aone-to-many relationship. For instance, at curbside, one parking device21 could serve two adjacent parking spaces 24. In a parking lot withfacing parking spaces, a parking device 21 could serve two pairs offacing parking spaces 24. Finally, several parking devices 21 couldserve a multiplicity of parking spaces 24 in a many-to-manyrelationship; motorists would enter a number painted on the pavement orother identifier that identifies the parking space 24 that they plan touse into one of the parking devices 21.

In a further embodiment, parking services kiosks 19 (shown in FIG. 1)are located nearby to support interactive transactions for one or moreparking spaces 24. The kiosks 19 need not be assigned to a specific setof parking spaces and can instead be conveniently distributed tomaximize usage within a municipality. A user can simply use anyavailable kiosk 19 to reserve parking, so if a line of waiting usersforms at one kiosk 19, the user can move to another available kiosk 19and avoid further delay. Parking sensor 22 connected to the kiosk couldbe remotely housed, for instance, in low-profile curbside devices andacoustic and visual feedback could be provided to the driver at thekiosk to interactively transaction parking services. The kiosk couldoperate through dedicated software, or execute Web-based applicationsremotely served from the parking services server 11. Other forms ofkiosks and kiosk-based functionality are possible.

Each parking space 24 is also equipped with a sensor 22 for determiningwhether a parking space 24 is occupied by a vehicle. The sensor 22 couldbe locally connected to a nearby parking device 21 or parking serviceskiosk 19, or remotely connected to the parking services server 11, whichthen facilitates communication between the sensor 22 and the nearbyparking device 21. The sensor 22 can be networked through a wired orwireless connection. The sensor 22 could be located in a puck or similarrobust enclosure fixed onto the surface of the street inside of orproximate to the parking space 24, or could be attached to the streetcurb. Alternatively, each sensor 22 could be incorporated into a parkingdevice 21 using, for instance, an acoustic- or video-based sensor.Further, like the parking devices 21, the sensors 22 can be configuredin a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many relationship with a set ofparking spaces 24. For instance, one video-based sensor 22 could bepositioned to simultaneously monitor several parking spaces 24.

Finally, each parking space 24 is equipped with a parking availabilityindicator 23. The parking indicator 23 could be locally connected to anearby parking device 21 or remotely connected to the parking servicesserver 11, which then facilitates communication between the parkingindicator 23 and the nearby parking device 21. The parking indicator 23can be networked through a wired or wireless connection. Analogous totraffic lights that indicate when vehicles may enter into intersections,parking indicators 23 indicate when vehicles may use parking spaces 24.Like the parking devices 21 and sensors 22, the parking indicators 23can be configured in a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-manyrelationship with a set of parking spaces 24.

Parking indicators 23 can provide physical, typically audible or visual,or digital “virtual” parking availability indications. A physicalparking indicator 23 can be in a standalone enclosure or located on aparking device 21 or on a conventional parking meter. Alternatively, aparking indicator can be located in a low-profile enclosure at the curbor on the edge of the curb. A digital parking indicator (not shown) canbe broadcast wirelessly to nearby motor vehicles from a parking device21 or other broadcasting source, such as a wireless transmitter locallyconnected to a parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19, orremotely connected to the parking services server 11. A digital parkingindicator could also be broadcast over a publically-accessible network,such as the Internet, and delivered to users electronically. Forexample, portable or mobile devices 15, 16, 17 with global positioningsystem (GPS) or other location-sensing capabilities could retrieveparking status indicators concerning nearby parking spaces. Finally, Inone embodiment, a parking indicator 23 is provided for each parkingspace 24 and is incorporated into a nearby parking device 21.Alternatively, a parking indicator 23 can be in the form of an automatedsign or display for a group of parking spaces 24 with indicationssignifying which spaces are available.

In a further embodiment, simplified parking indicators (not shown)having a lower physical profile than the parking devices 21, forinstance, through mounting in a low-profile housing or vertical polemounted above the street curb or by integration into or attachment ontothe street curb itself, are provided for each parking space 24.Alternatively, the simplified parking indicators can be embedded intothe curb or within or along the entire length of a parking space,effectively becoming the curb itself, rather than being attached to orotherwise being affixed as a component separate from the curb proper.Whereas with attached parking indicators, naïve motorists may parkindiscriminately in parking spaces that are not available for lack of anawareness as to how the indicators work. With a parking indicatorembedded into and serving as the curb itself, motorists alreadyunderstand the correct meaning of color-coded curbs, as typicallymandated by traffic codes and parking ordnances, and, as a result, nospecialized education as to parking indicator meaning is necessary. Awhole curb parking indicator could be provided, for instance, using alow power large-scale display or similar technology.

The parking indicators 23 tell motorists the status of a parking space24. The parking indicators 23 can provide a visual status indication,such as through color-coded indicators located on a parking device 21.The indicators can be implemented using incandescent lights, lightemitting diodes, reflective surfaces, and similar materials that mayonly require low power, or be unpowered. Under one color coding scheme,a solid red indicator means that parking space 24 is not available atthe moment, a solid yellow indicator means that the parking space 24 isonly available for a short time period, such as less than two hours, anda solid green indicator means that the parking space 24 is available fora long time period, such as two hours or longer. Analogous to bluemarkings for handicapped parking, a solid blue indicator means that aspecial permit, such as issued to handicapped motorists, is required. Ina further embodiment, the color scheme can be extended beyond showingavailability to indicating that the time allotted to park has expired,such as by displaying a solid red indicator to the parked motorist.Other color-coded lighted indicators are also possible.

Alternatively, visual labels or icons could be presented in lieu of astatic color-coded indicators. For instance, a label or icon couldsignal to a motorist that the time has expired or that the parking spaceis reserved. The amount of time available at a parking space 24 couldalso be shown through a label or icon. Similarly, a visual label or iconcould clarify what type of permit is required to park, such as ahandicapped parking permit. Other visual labels or icons are alsopossible.

As well, color-coded lighted indicators could be combined with flashingindicators. A red flashing indicator could be used to indicate a parkingviolation or expired time. A yellow and blue flashing indicator could beused to signal a reserved loading zone available for a short timeperiod. Finally, a red and blue flashing indicator could be used toindicate a parking space reserved for a guest motorist.

Other colors, color combinations, and arrangements of solid, flashing,graduated, or adjusted lighted indicators could also be utilized asparking indicators. Similarly, indicators other than colors, such asshapes, positions, alphanumeric symbols, or icons, could be used todifferentiate states of parking availability. In one embodiment, colorand shape combinations similar to conventional traffic signs can beused. For example, to indicate the non-availability of a parking space24, a plain red octagonal shape or a red octagonal shape labeled withthe word “Stop” could be displayed. Alternatively, a circular shapelabeled with the word “Park” could be displayed with a diagonal linecrossing out the word “Park” to indicate no parking. Finally, the colorgreen could be used with a circle, the color yellow with a triangle, andthe color blue with a square, as used in some forms of traffic signage.

The parking device 21 can also serve a parking indicator function. Inone embodiment, each parking device 21 can also have an indicator ordisplay 25, preferably located at the top of the device to enhanceviewing by drivers, showing the time remaining in a parking period. In afurther embodiment, each parking device 21 can also include anadditional indicator or display 26 for presenting other information,such as public service messages or advertising. When a car is parked inthe parking space 24 associated with the parking device 21, the display25 can the time remaining before parking expires. The display 25 couldtransition to a red indicator when the time has expired, analogous toconventional parking meters. When the parking space 24 is available, thedisplay 25 could show how much time is left before any applicable timeconstraint is reached. For instance, another motorist may haveseparately reserved the parking space 24 through the parking servicesserver 11, but the parking space 24 is otherwise available up throughthe time of the reservation. As well, parking may become unavailable dueto scheduled street cleaning or other event. A color overlay could beprovided over the time indication in the display 25 to assist userunderstanding.

The parking devices 21, whether standalone or configured through a kiosk19, interface motorists and other users with the parking services server11. Each parking device 21 and kiosk 19 includes a user interface (notshown) for identifying which parking space 24 is being reserved anddetermining the user's identification. When booking a reservation, theparking device 21 or kiosk 19 undertakes an abbreviated “Hold thisSpace” service transaction, described infra, with the user. Theparticular parking space 24 can be indicated, for example, by displayingthe location of the space on a map. The user's identification isindicated using an account number, credit or debit card number, or otherunique identifier that can be provided to the parking device 21 or kiosk19 through a magnetic strip or bar code reader for scanning creditcards, driver's licenses, parking identification cards, or other formsof identification. Alternatively, the parking device 21 or kiosk 19 canaccept wireless transmissions, for instance, using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, orWi-Max protocols, or wired transmissions of the user's identificationfrom a mobile device 15, 16, 17, such as a smart mobile telephone,notebook or tablet computer, or similar personal electronic device. In afurther embodiment, the parking device 21 can include a camera or otherinput device to visually scan the user's face or read the license plateof a motorist's vehicle, a wireless transponder to retrieve a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag on the motorist's vehicle, or othersensor to identify the requesting user or the vehicle parked.

Parking Services Server

The parking services 12 are account-based. FIG. 3 is a functional blockdiagram 30 showing the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. The parkingservice 12 are supported by a set of services (not shown). The parkingservices 12 and the services are implemented in software and executionof the software is performed as a series of process or method modules orsteps.

Both the parking services 12 and the other related support services maybe executed on one or more computer systems, which may singly or incombination logically constitute a particular form of “server.” Forinstance, in one embodiment, a Web server delivers Web pages and contentto Web-based clients, such as Web browsers executing on mobile devices15, 16, 17. The Web server can be implemented using more than onecomputer, depending upon the load.

Similarly, the provisioning of the system functionality is dividedbetween the one or more servers and the various end-user devices withwhich a motorist directly interfaces, such as parking devices 21,parking services kiosks 19, and mobile devices 15, 16, 17. Programmaticduties are divided between the software that runs in each end-userdevice and the servers. The division of labor balances several competinggoals, which includes a low power requirement for the end-user device,fast user interaction response, and keeping end-user device programmingrelatively simple.

Additionally, the Web server may be supported by caching servers thatcache the Web content and help reduce bandwidth consumption and systemload. The caching servers may also be implemented using more than onecomputer. System state for the parking services 12 is kept in a databaseserver, which keeps track of the state of all of the parking devices 21,parking services kiosks 19, and sensors 24, all of the parking accounts,all of the permits, all of the parking citations, all of the billings,all of the parking policies, and so forth. The database server may beimplemented using more than one computer. As well, the suite of servicescan also be fielded by through cloud computing. Henceforth, forsimplicity, the set of services will be discussed without regard to thenature of the implementing servers or the underlying physical topologyof the supporting computers, except as specifically noted.

At any given time, several coordinated processes execute across theservers. Depending upon the scale of the system, several computers mayneed to work together to carry out each of the services. One set of theservices is engaged with the collection and verification of requests fornew services and changes to existing services. City officials or parkingauthorities that establish new parking policies present a special caseof the services. For example, they may need to initiate a new parkingregulation, which applies over certain hours on certain days. The rulesand parameters for the service could be expressed through a descriptionlanguage for permits, regulations, and the like, with parameters in thelanguage corresponding to policy considerations, what rights areenabled, and cross references to other regulations and permits. Theparking officials specify the parameters governing what regulationsapply in what geographic parts or blocks of the city. Thus, the parkingofficials would be able to state that a parking regulation for a loadingzone has an exception when a parking account includes a “loading zonepermit,” but would be enforced differently when a parking account hasonly a “visitor permit” and so forth.

Another set of the services steps through all of the pending parkingevents. For example, certain parking restrictions may apply concerningstreet sweeping beginning at 2:00 pm. When 2:00 pm occurs, any statuschanges for the parking devices 21 and parking services kiosks 19 on theaffected streets are determined, which can include setting theirassociated parking indicators 23 to signal “No Parking.” Additionally,warnings may need to be sent to subscribed users, typically motoristswho have parked on the affected streets, as well as information toparking authorities to guide them to parking violations. Still anotherset of the services take in new parking reservations, which can includecomparing a request to park in a parking space 24 near a particularparking device 21 with other constraints on the use of that parkingspace 24.

Users interface with the parking services 12 either directly by using aparking device 11 or parking services kiosk 19. Users can also interfacewith the parking services 12 remotely over a network using a user devicethrough a wired or wireless connection. User devices include mobiledevices 15, 16, 17, such as smart mobile telephones, notebook or tabletcomputers, or similar personal electronic devices. The parking devices21 and parking services kiosks 19 also have user interfaces thatinteract with the parking services 12. Yet another set of the servicescan download either parameters or application programs to the parkingdevices 21 and parking services kiosks 19 to drive interactions withusers.

From a user's standpoint, the parking services 12 are accessible throughparking devices 11 that are associated with one or more specific parkingspaces, parking services kiosks 19 that are generally associated with aset of nearby parking spaces, and user devices that allow access to allof the parking spaces managed by the parking services 12. Functionally,parking services 12 are provided in five functional areas, which includeparking event services 31 to handle parking events, driver services 32that assist motorists in reserving a parking space 24 or other needs,resident services 33 that cater to the particular needs of urbandenizens, merchant services 34 that enable local businesses to obtainparking for customers and related needs, and parking authority services35. The specifics of each parking service functional area are furtherdescribed infra. Other functional areas are also possible.

Parking services are provided through a set of parking accounts 37 a-crespectively for drivers, residents, merchants, and operators of parkinglots and valet parking services. For instance, in one approach, aspecial kind of parking account would be provided by the parkingservices 12 for parking valet services. In another approach, operatorsof parking valet services would be merchants and would have a specialpermit that was issued to them for valet parking. In both instances,valet parking services are able to reserve parking places for valetservices and to access online valet services for locating and retrievingcustomer's vehicles. In addition, billing support for valet servicescould also be provided by the parking services 12, so that drivers couldpay for their valet parking using their parking account 37 a-c. Thevalet parking account would be set up to route the chargesappropriately, charging the driver for the use of valet services andpaying the valet service and the city or municipality from whom theparking was reserved accordingly. Other types of parking accounts arepossible. The parking accounts 37 a-c are maintained in storage 36coupled to the parking services server 11. Express, temporary, andimplicit parking accounts can also be used. An express parking accountis the norm, whereas a temporary parking account is not permanentlystored and an implicit parking account is generally created for a singleparking event.

The parking accounts 37 a-c provide a parking identity to motorists andother users, enabling transaction-based approaches to reserving,billing, and managing parking. A parking identity can be establishedthrough a parking account 37 a-c. A parking identification card can beissued for a parking account 37 a-c. Alternatively, a credit card,driver's license, telephone calling card, or motor vehicle license platenumber could be associated with a parking account 37 a-c in lieu of aparking identification card. Additionally, a driver may have multipleparking identification cards for other family members or for loaning toguests temporarily. Finally, temporary parking identification cards maybe issued by various organizations that cater to tourists, businesstravelers, and other people, such as tourism bureaus, rental carcompanies, and other organizations.

Users with parking accounts 37 a-c can make parking reservations. Theparking services 12 maintain a set of reservations 38 a-d respectivelyrequested on the basis of driver, recurring, guest, and special useneeds. Other types of parking reservations are possible. During parkingoperations, the parking services 12 also track a set of parking events39 a-c respectively for occupancy, check-in, and holding a parking space24 in real time. Other types of parking events are possible.

During operation, parking is consumed by real time requests 44 forparking from users, who are primarily motorists and the overall status48 of parking availability is continually revised through the parkingaccounts 37 a-c, sensor data 40, and parking device data 41. Inaddition, depending upon the type of parking sought, users may alsophysically submit parking permits or coupons 45, such as issued by aresident host or merchant, or electronically submit parking codes 46,which are processed and validated by the parking services server 11.

As required, availability indicators 43, user notices and parking alerts43, and other information are sent out, either through a physicaldevice, such as via a parking indicator 23 or the display 25 on aparking device 21, or by electronic transmission to user's mobiledevices 15, 16, 17. Other types of input data or output information arepossible.

Parking privileges can be added to a parking account 37 a-c by a user atwill. Parking privileges can be indicated by a physical permit that theuser presents to a parking device 21, or using a digital tickets orpermits that are electronically transmitted by the parking services 12.Parking privilege permits include permits for delivery vehicles, touristvehicles, street cleaning exemption passes, fleet or bulk rate charges,special use, valet parking, taxicab parking, and other privileges. Theprivileges can include receiving bulk parking rates, priority parking,handicapped or senior citizen parking, special event or one-time useparking, such as would be helpful for tourists or other occasionalvisitors, and so on. Additionally, permits for using a parking space 24for non-parking purposes, for instance, to provide a drive-up conciergeor valet service or to facilitate road maintenance or buildingconstruction, could also be provided through a parking account 34 a-c.Furthermore, monthly or periodic charges for parking could be billeddirectly to a credit card or through other pre-set payment arrangementas maintained in a parking account 37 a-c.

The specific types of parking services 12 will now be discussed.Although each of the services is described in the context of aparticular user, such as a driver or urban resident, the services arenot limited to just that class of users and can be equally applicable toall other users, irrespective of specific characteristics, such as placeof residence.

Parking Event Services

Service: Show Parking Availability

Each parking space 24 has a display 25 showing its parking availability.FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a show parkingavailability service 50 for use in the parking services 12 of FIG. 1.This service is most apropos to non-valet service-related parking,although this service can be useful to a valet parking service when thatservice has to compete with the general public for availablenon-reserved on-street parking. If a parking space 24 is occupied (step51), a parking not available indicator is displayed (step 58), althoughthe parking device 21 or kiosk 19 may display a “Meter Expired” orsimilar notice or signal if a vehicle occupies the parking space beyondthe allowed time. Otherwise, if the parking space 24 is unoccupied (step51), the parking services 12 periodically determine whether any specialpermits are required to park in that parking space (step 52). A special“permit required” indicator is activated for the parking indicator 23located at the parking space (step 53). The indicator can be providedthrough a combination of permit color, such as through a variation onthe blue color used for handicapped parking permits, and furtherinformation identifying what permit is needed through the parkingdevice's display 26. For example, parking indicator 23 could say,“Reserved at 2 pm” or “Valet Parking Only.”

The time available for parking is then determined (step 54). The timeremaining might be limited, for instance, due to an upcoming reservationfor the parking space or under regulations that prohibit parking duringcertain hours for traffic throughway, requirements for a special permit,street cleaning schedules, or special events. If the amount of timeavailable is less than a threshold (step 55), such as two hours, awarning indication can be used (step 56), such as through a cautionaryyellow indicator. If the time available is more than the threshold (step55), an available indication can be used (step 57), such as through agreen indicator.

In one embodiment, the choice of colors and their assigned meanings canbe varied. For example, one variation might use blue, rather than red,to indicate that a space is reserved. Other variations might useblinking colors, such as blinking red, to indicate a parking violation,blinking yellow and blue to indicate a reserved loading zone, and redwith blinking blue to indicate a parking space reserved for a guest.Still other color variations are possible.

Service: “Log Occupancy”

The “Log Occupancy” service notes when a vehicle has entered a parkingspace 24. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a “logoccupancy” service 60 for use in the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. Inone embodiment, the bulk of the business logic runs on the servers. Forexample, in providing the “Log Occupancy” service, the interpretation ofdata from each sensor 22 to answer the question, “is there a vehiclepresent?” runs on the associated end-user device, while the remainingcode executes on the server. Changes in the status pertaining to vehicleoccupancy or vacancy are communicated to the server, which server thenapplies rules about what information to send back to the end-userdevice. For instance, the server must access the parking accounts 37 a-cmaintained in storage 36 to retrieve information about the motorist andthe parking space reservation to determine whether “in-and-out” parkingprivileges or other considerations may apply. The server then sends amessage back to the end-user device and requests the associated parkingdevice 21 or parking services kiosk 19 to update the parkingavailability indicator 23 appropriately or display some other message.

This service begins when a sensor 22 detects that a vehicle is in theparking space (step 61). If the sensor is working properly (step 62),either the parking device 21, parking services kiosk 19, or the parkingservices 12 log the time that the vehicle entered the space (step 64)and that the space is now occupied (step 64). The information is relayedto the parking services 12, as applicable. If there is no parking sensor22 or the sensor 22 is broken (step 62), the event can be started when auser manually provides a parking identity to the parking device 21 orelectronically transmits a parking identity and indicates that parkinghas commenced (step 63).

Based on the parking status information maintained by the parkingservices 12, this event can now trigger other actions. For example, ifthe parking space 24 is not available (step 68), such as when themotorist has parked in a parking space 24 that has been reserved forsomeone else, the motorist can be notified that the parking space 24 isnot available (step 67). Presumably, the motorist will immediatelyreturn to his vehicle and leave the parking space 24. However, if themotorist ignores the notification of parking space unavailability andtries to check in, the parking device 21 will disallow the check-inattempt and, if possible, offer a different parking space 24, as furtherdescribed below with reference to FIG. 6. Otherwise, if the parkingspace 24 is available and a fee is required to park (step 68), theparking device 21 can remind the driver to pay the fee for parking (step69), either by depositing coins or other form of payment, or providing aparking identity for billing. Following payment, the driver undertakescheck in (step 70), as further described below with reference to FIG. 6.The driver can also be sent an alert 43 that states how long parking ispermitted (step 71), such as by time remaining. This operation istypically followed by a “check in” service when the motorist approachesthe parking device 21 or kiosk 19.

The “Log Occupancy” service also detects when a vehicle has left theparking space 24 (step 72). The parking device 21, parking serviceskiosk 19, or parking services 12 log the time that the vehicle left theparking space (step 73) and that the space is not occupied (step 74).The parking space 24 may be unoccupied, yet remain unavailable, such aswhere a recurring reservation exists for the now-unoccupied parkingspace 24. Thus, if in-and-out privileges for the parking space 24 exist(step 75), the parking indicator 23 shows that the parking space 24 isnot available and the time remaining on the reservation is noted (step76). Otherwise, the parking indicator 23 shows that the parking space 24is now available for use (step 77).

When providing valet parking services, the “Log Occupancy” servicechecks whether the parking space 24 is still assigned for valet parkingpurposes whenever a car vacates a parking space 24. While stillassigned, the parking indicator 23 displays a parking status indicatingthat the parking space 24 remains reserved for valet parking. Otherwise,the parking indicator 23 can revert to a normal state of non-valetparking availability. As well if the parking services 12 is providingonline valet guidance services for a valet parking account, the parkingservices 12 can also send messages or update displays to indicate thatthe parking space 24 is available for valet parking.

Service: “Check-In”

The “Check-In” service is used when a motorist goes to a parking device21 to provide a parking identity, or to request another service. FIG. 6is a flow diagram showing a routine for a “check-in” service 80 for usein the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. Check-in is physically performedat a parking device 21 or, if applicable, a nearby parking serviceskiosk 19. Check-in could also be carried out electronically using amobile device 15, 16, 17, such as a smart mobile telephone, notebook ortablet computer, or similar personal electronic device, that isconnected to the parking information server 11 over a wired or wirelessnetwork. In one embodiment, the bulk of the business logic of check-inruns on the server, while the associated parking device 21 or parkingservices kiosk 19 scans the motorist's identification and sends back thescanned data. The server then processes the service request, includingchecking that the parking space 24 is available to the requestingmotorist and is not already reserved to someone else. If the parkingspace 24 is not available to the motorist checking in, the server mayattempt to locate an alternate nearby parking space 24, which is thendisplayed by the associated parking device 21 or parking services kiosk19.

A motorist driving to a reserved parking space 24 out of which aprevious motorist has not yet moved his car 24 could be sent a courtesynotice from the parking services 12 advising that the reserved parkingspace 24 is still occupied. The system could offer the incoming motorista reservation of another nearby parking space 24 or provide compensationfor the inconvenience, such as free parking, credit towards their nextparking reservation, and so forth.

Check-in is started after a vehicle has been parked and when a userprovides his parking identity (step 81) or other identifyinginformation, either directly or remotely, to the parking services 12after parking. Drivers are able to use any of several convenientapproaches to provide their parking identity. For example, a drivercould present a form of physical identification, such as a credit card,driver's license, or a parking identification card, through a magneticcard reader or other input device integrated into the parking device 21.Alternatively, the parking device 21 may employ biometric input, such asa fingerprint or retina pattern scanner. The parking device 21 couldalso include a camera or other input device to visually read the licenseplate of a motorist's vehicle, a wireless transponder to retrieve aradio frequency identification (RFID) tag on the motorist's vehicle, orother sensor to identify the vehicle parked and the user's parkingidentity derived from his vehicle information.

If the parking space is already reserved 24, the system must check thatthe driver is allowed to check in. In the simplest case, the driverchecking in is the person, or is a person who has the same account asthe person, who made the reservation. If the driver is disallowed fromchecking in, such as where the parking space 24 is already reserved forsomebody else, the system could offer to reserve a nearby parking spacefor their convenience.

For parking spaces 24 reserved for valet parking services, the“Check-In” service verifies that a valid “valet parking” identificationis used for check-in. If online services are being provided for a valetparking account, the system could also send messages or update displaysto indicate that the parking space 24 has been reserved for valetparking use.

The parking services 12 use the motorist's parking identity to accessthe corresponding parking account 37 a-c and retrieve his parkingreservation (step 82). The parking services 12 determines whether theparking reservation is valid (step 83). For instance, if the parkingspace 24 is already reserved for somebody else, check-in will bedisallowed and, if possible, the parking services 12 will offer adifferent parking space 24 (step 85). If valid, check-in is processed(step 84) by matching the motorist and vehicle identities to thereservation. As well, providing a parking identity to the parkingservices 12 at check-in enables the server to customize and apply theparking services offered to the user based on settings in the user'sparking account (step 86). For instance, if a motorist has a permit thatoverrides time constraints that would otherwise limit the parking time,the parking services 12 would cause the parking device 21 or parkingservices kiosk 19 to display the time available, taking into account anypermits, or digital tickets or permits, as further described infra, thatare associated with the motorist's parking account 37 a-c. Check-in alsoenables a user to simply pay for parking, either by cash or with acredit card, without establishing a parking account. This operation istypically followed by a “Hold This Space” service, as further describedbelow with reference to FIG. 7.

A short vacancy period may be allotted between occupancies of a parkingspace 24 to allow a safety margin in case the previous occupant is latein moving his vehicle. When appropriate, the parking services 12 canenable guided enforcement, as further described below with reference toFIG. 23.

Notwithstanding, traffic enforcement authorities or the tow truck may bedelayed, or other circumstances may intervene, so that a reservedparking space is still occupied when a driver with the reservationarrives. To promote customer satisfaction, various remedies may beoffered to assist the inconvenienced driver. For example, the parkingservices 12 may automatically reserve another available nearby parkingspace 24 for the driver, which could even be a parking space 24 thatnormally requires a special permit. Alternatively, the driver could beoffered financial compensation for the inconvenience. As well, a valetcould be provided at the occupied parking space 24 to take care ofparking the driver's car and providing him with transportation to andfrom the new parking space 24. Still, other forms of remedy arepossible. Finally, the level of remedial compensation may be keyed to aparking service level analogous to airline reservations, which offereconomy, business, and first class service levels.

During the use of the parking space 24, parking services 12 monitorwhether the parking space 24 continues to remain occupied. However, evenwhen unoccupied, availability may depend upon whether a reservation within-and-out privileges or other constraints on the use of the parkingspace 24 exist. Parking services 12 can monitor the passage of time orpoll each parking device 21 and parking services kiosk 19 for changes inparking status. Parking services 12 could alert also the motorist ofimpending expiry of parking and either alert the motorist to move hiscar, or offer an extension of time, if feasible, as further describedsupra. Alternatively, the parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19could track changes in parking status and monitor the passage of timelocally, which would be periodically reported back to parking services12 when polled. Other ways to track changes in parking status andmonitor the passage of time are possible.

Service: “Hold This Space”

The “Hold This Space” service allows a driver to establish an agreementabout parking a vehicle in a parking space. FIG. 7 is a flow diagramshowing a routine for a “Hold This Space” service 90 for use in theparking services 12 of FIG. 1. Where the driver had a previousreservation and the check-in confirmed that the driver is authorized(step 91), the parking services 12 retrieve the terms previouslyarranged in the reservation (step 92) and the driver is offered theoption of modifying the terms (step 93). If no reservation was made(step 91), or the driver decides to modify existing reservation terms(step 93), the applicable parking terms are determined (step 94), asfurther described below with reference to FIG. 8.

The parking services 12 can summarize the parking agreement for thedriver. If the driver is in violation or fails to fulfill the terms ofthe parking agreement (step 94), such as where the driver is notauthorized to park there, has not paid the required parking fee, or doesnot move his vehicle within short grace period, the parking services 12can automatically take appropriate action against the offending driver(step 96), including alerting parking authorities about the parkingviolation, logging the violation, or otherwise enabling guidedenforcement, as further described below with reference to FIG. 23.

If the terms are acceptable and the driver compliant (step 94), agreeting can be sent to the driver, along with a reminder about when heis expected to return and move his vehicle (step 97). Otherwise, if thedriver is in violation or non-compliant, the system could optionallyoffer the driver other parking.

The parking terms can offer different parking options. FIG. 8 is a flowdiagram showing a routine 100 for determining parking terms for use inthe routine 90 of FIG. 7. At the time of making a parking reservation orcheck-in, the driver selects the terms of the parking agreement (steps101-113). By way of example, the parking options include:

Fixed period, fixed price (step 102). The driver could select to pay fora fixed rate for a fixed period of time. Under this option, the drivermust move his car before the end of the parking period. The driver couldask to be alerted (step 108) via an electronic message that will be sentto a mobile device 15, 16, 17 when the parking period is nearly over,such as by using contact information known to the parking services 12under the driver's parking identifier. In some cases, the driver maylater be permitted to extend the fixed parking period from his mobiledevice 15, 16, 17, as long as other time constraints still allowparking.

Open-ended period, higher price (step 103). The driver could opt for anopen-ended parking period. Under this option, the driver does notprovide an end time and parks for as long as needed, subject topre-existing availability constraints on the parking space. The driveris informed of any pre-existing constraints (step 109), for instance,other parking reservations or scheduled street cleaning. The convenienceof open-ended parking times may have a higher fee since the parkingspace is locked up and unavailable to other motorists for an indefiniteperiod.

Open-ended period, escalating price (step 103). As a variation on theopen-ended period, higher price parking option, the price-per-minute fora parking space could proportionately rise as a vehicle is parked for anincreasingly longer period. This approach could be used, for instance,in shopping districts where commerce generally benefits from turn-overin the vehicles parked in that area. For example, the first hour ofparking might cost a dollar; the second hour might cost two dollars; thethird hour might cost ten dollars.

Open-ended period, initially free parking (step 103). In anothervariation on the open-ended period, higher price parking option, a firstperiod of parking might be free, potentially subsidized by merchantslocated on the same city block as the subsidized parking. Thereafter,parking fees might begin after, for instance, thirty minutes. Usercheck-in could still require a credit card, with billing to take placeaccording to the already established parking rules.

Reserved parking (step 104). If the parking space is reserved, theparking device 21 could request the driver to confirm his parkingidentity. If the driver's parking identity does not match thereservation (step 109), the parking device 21 or parking services 12could inform the driver that he needs a valid reservation and that hemust move his vehicle from the parking space 24. As a courtesy, theserver could also provide a recommendation of another place to findparking (step 112) and could allow the motorist to reserve analternative parking space using their parking identity.

Permit privileged parking (step 105). If the parking space requires aspecial permit and the driver's parking account 37 a-c lacks therequired permit (step 111), the parking device 21 or the parkingservices 12 could inform the driver that a permit is required and thathe must move his vehicle from the parking space 24. As a courtesy, theserver could also provide a recommendation of another place to findparking (step 112) and could allow the motorist to reserve analternative parking space using their parking identity.

Discounted pricing (step 106). Various bulk discounts may apply whereassociated with a permit in driver's parking account, or through anassociated fleet parking account.

Valet Reservations (step 107). For valet parking services, parkingreservations are most conveniently made for a group of parking spaces24, which are collectively reserved all at the same time. Alternatively,a valet service could either compete for available on-street parking orjust reserve a number of parking spaces 24 with in-and-out privileges.The preferred approach is that each valet service pays to reserve agroup of parking spaces 24 for their use. Each valet service essentiallysubleases the parking spaces 24 for the duration of their valet serviceneeds. This approach benefits the valet service by assuring that aninventory of parking spaces 24 is kept available and is not used byother valet services or the general public. The city or municipalityalso benefits from the receipt of additional revenue. To ensure that thepublic is not disserved by over-reserving of parking spaces for valetparking services, the city or municipality could have a policy that acertain number of parking spaces remain available.

Throughout the duration of a valet parking event, such as during thecourse of an evening, parking valets may move various cars in and out ofthe valet services-reserved parking spaces 24 and a single car may endup occupying several different parking spaces 24 at various times duringthe same event. For example, a valet may move a customer's car to a moreconvenient location just before he anticipates the return of thecustomer, thereby saving the customer waiting time. Valet parkingreservations also differ from typical consumer parking reservations inthat the reserved parking spaces 24 are generally intended to beavailable for any of the valets, any of which may be the driver of avalet-parked vehicle at the time of parking, relocation, or retrieval.In one approach, the valets would assign distinct identification cardsfor each of their patron's cars to enable them to easily keep track ofwhere each patron's car was parked.

For valet parking, interactions are streamlined for customerconvenience. For instance, a valet parking space would continue to bereserved for valet use generally, even after a valet has removed acustomer's vehicle from that parking space. Requiring a valet parker toperform a “Hold This Space” transaction, perhaps in addition to a“Check-In” transaction, can be skipped, as holding a parking spacealready reserved is redundant.

Driver Parking Services

Service: Reservation.

The reservation service reserves a parking space. FIG. 9 is a flowdiagram showing a routine for a reservation service 120 for use in theparking services 12 of FIG. 1. As described supra for the “Hold ThisSpace” service 90, a parking reservation 38 a-d can be for a fixedparking period, for an open-ended period, or as various permits allow.Additionally, a parking reservation 38 a-d may be for a specific parkingspace 24 or for one of a set of parking spaces.

Allowing users to reserve parking ahead of time raises several issues.Typically, when a driver leaves a parking space 24, the parking space 24becomes available for other motorists to use. However, some drivers maywant in-and-out privileges that could be provided through a reservedparking space for a recurring purpose. For example, a driver may need toreserve a parking space 24 for nighttime parking, but then need to leavesometime during the night to run an errand. That driver would ordinarilywant that parking space 24 to continue to be reserved for him, so thatparking is available upon returning from the errand.

As well, unused yet reserved parking wastes the parking resource. Planssometimes change and motorists that make reservations for parking spaces24 may end up not actually using the parking. To avoid such waste, theparking services 12 could return a parking space 24 to publicavailability if the driver who reserved the parking space does not checkin promptly. Parking spaces 24 could have a short grace period forarrival and check-in. As well, drivers could pay a higher fee to hold aparking space throughout the entire reservation period, which will applyeven if they do not show up.

In another variation, a driver could be sent an alert by telephone, textmessage, or other means if a grace period for a reservation is about toexpire. This message could be handled by a GPS-equipped device, such asan on-board navigational or informational devices 17, in the vehicle.The driver, or a computational agent for the driver, would have a windowof time during which to respond to the alert by telling the parkingservice that they still need the parking space. The driver could beasked to pay an extra charge to continue to hold the parking space ifparking is in high demand or for other reasons warranting an up chargeto the parking.

Parking spaces 24 can be reserved directly through the parking services12 or indirectly through a parking device 21, parking services kiosk 19,or mobile device 15, 16, 17. By way of example, parking spacereservations include:

Reserve a specific parking space (step 121). This option reserves onespecific parking space 24.

Reserve a preferred type of parking space. The parking reservationsystem may differentiate parking spaces according to their type. Forexample, parking spaces requiring parallel parking may be less desirablethan those spaces where parking is at an angle to the curb. Similarly,some parking spaces may be longer, wider, or otherwise more easilyusable for parking than other parking spaces that require comparativelymore involved maneuvering of a vehicle.

Reserve adjacent parking spaces (step 122). This option reserves severaladjacent parking spaces, such as needed for parking an oversize vehicle,trailer, recreational vehicle, limousine, or moving van. Grant of theparking reservation requires confirmation that all of the parking spacesrequested are available for the term of the reservation (step 126).

Reserve a parking space near or within a given distance of a location(step 123). A driver may not necessarily need a specific parking space(step 121) and may be satisfied with a parking space 24 on a particularblock or side of the street or that is within a given distance of aparticular location. The parking services 12 attempt to find a suitableparking space 24 for the driver (step 127), who may then enter areservation.

Reserve a parking space with in-and-out privileges (step 124). Thisoption keeps a parking space 24 reserved throughout the duration of areservation period (step 128), even if the driver leaves for a whileduring the period. Another check-in step would be required when thedriver returns.

Open grace period (step 125). This option holds a parking spacereservation open (step 129), even if the driver is late and does notarrive within an allotted arrival and check-in grace period.

Where a reservation is for any of a group of parking spaces 24, theprocess used by the parking services 12 for setting the parkingindicators 21 proximate to the parking spaces factors in the affect onthe availability of the overall group. For example, suppose that thereare two parking reservations in effect for parking spaces 24 on the sameblock and that ten of the twenty parking spaces are already occupied bycars. In this situation, the parking services server 21 can show all tenof the unoccupied parking spaces 24 as available. However, as the numberof available unoccupied parking spaces 24 decreases, the parkingindicators 21 need to reflect the affect of the two parkingreservations. When only two unoccupied parking spaces 24 are left, theparking services 12 show those spaces as being unavailable to hold thespaces for the reservations. Suppose that three parking spaces 24 wereunoccupied and that a car began to pull into one of those parking spaces24. The remaining two parking spaces would then show as unavailable.

If all conditions are met, the parking services 12 reserve a parkingspace 24 for the driver (step 130), which can be confirmed to the driver(step 131), for instance, by an automated message sent to the driver'smobile device 15, 16, 17, if available and registered with parkingservices 12.

Service: Extend Reservation

Parking reservations give a specification of the time over which aparking space 24 is reserved. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing aroutine for an extend reservation service 140 for use in the parkingservices 12 of FIG. 1. A parking reservation is executed when themotorist checks in (step 141), as described supra. If a motorist arrivesearly for his reservation 38 a-d and the parking space 24 is available(step 142), the starting time of the reservation begins earlier thanplanned. The parking services 12 adjust the parking period and feeappropriately (step 149) and can confirm the revised end time and otherparameters with the driver.

Alternatively, if a motorist wants to extend a parking stay longer (step143), that is, he wants to leave at a later time, the parking services12 will check for any existing time constraints (step 146). Ifpermissible (step 147), the parking services 12 adjust the parkingperiod and fee appropriately (step 148) and can confirm the revised endtime and other parameters with the driver. Otherwise, the motorist willbe informed that extended parking is not available. For purposes ofresource management, the parking services 12 use available informationto inform drivers about parking availability. In estimating how long avehicle will be in a parking space 24, a conservative approach assumesthat the parking space 24 will not become available until the end of theparking period (step 145) as specified in the terms of parkingagreement. If the parking terms allow parking for up to three hours, aconservative parking policy prevent the parking services 12 from showingthe parking space 24 as being available for other parking reservationsbefore the end time. However, if a driver leaves early (step 144), theparking space 24 can be made available immediately to other drivers and,if policy permits, the departed driver can be refunded a partial fee(step 151).

Pricing policies as implemented through the parking services 12 can takeadvantage of the dynamics of drivers arriving early, staying later, orleaving early. For example, a driver considering convenience and peaceof mind may choose an option to stay for up to three hours, even if heexpects to be finished in two hours. Reserving a parking space 24 foronly two hours would cost less, but the driver risks the need to hurryback if delayed. In one embodiment, the parking services 12 can warn adriver via a mobile device 15, 16, 17 that the two-hour limit isapproaching. If the space is still available beyond the two-hour limit,the driver could be offered the option to extend the parkingreservation.

Service: “Find My Car”

People sometimes forget where they parked. Since the location of everyparking space 24 is known by the parking services 12, the informationcan be used to help forgetful drivers find their lost cars. FIG. 11 is aflow diagram showing a routine for a “Find My Car” service 160 for usein the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. If in need, an absentminded drivercould go to any parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19, or couldcontact the parking services 12 using a mobile device 15, 16, 17. Thedriver would check-in, and ask the server for his car's location. Theparking services 12 would confirm the driver's identity (step 161) andsearch the parking records (step 162). If the parking space 24 occupiedby the vehicle is found (step 163), the driver could be provided a map,audio, or visual directions for finding his car. For persons withoutparking identities, the parking services 12 could still provide thedriver with directions upon providing sufficient information to enablethe parking services 12 to find the car, such as by entering a uniqueidentifier assigned to a parking device 21 (step 161).

Service: Summon a Taxicab and “Find Me Public Transportation”

A parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 could also be used tosummon a taxicab. Based on the location of the requesting parking device21, a taxicab service could give an estimated time of arrival and fareestimates for travel to a specified destination. The taxicab servicecould be summoned through an interactive application executed on theparking device 21, or by message-based or voice telephone call. Paymentfor the taxicab could also be automatically arranged ahead of timethrough the user's parking account 37 a-c. In a further embodiment, auser could request a taxicab and run an auction for taxicab services torespond at a specified level of service. The user could then pay for thewinning taxicab service through the parking device 21 and enter into apre-arranged fare agreement with the taxicab.

In addition, a parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 could beused to find public transportation for a user. Like the service forsummoning a taxicab, this service is location-based and uses thelocation of the parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19. Theparking services 12 tie in to bus, train, ferry, subway, and otherpublic transportation schedules and could recommend a route for theuser. The parking identity could be generalized to a transportationidentity, which allows the holder to purchase tickets for publictransportation, as well as pay for taxicab fare.

Service: Summon Help (911)

Each of the parking devices 21, as well as parking services kiosks 19,are networked with the parking services 12. Thus, drivers and otherpeople could use the parking devices 21 and parking services kiosks 19to call for help during emergencies. For example, a person could openvoice or voice and video connection to emergency authorities, dependingupon the configuration of the parking device 21. Further, if a camera isincorporated into the parking device 21, the parking services 12 couldcapture photographs from the requesting or neighboring parking devices21 to document the event.

Resident Parking Services

Service: Recurring Reservations

Some parking needs are recurring. For example, residents may findreserving nighttime parking on the street, either in front of theirhomes or nearby, convenient. The recurring reservation service enables auser to reserve a parking space 24 for a repeating, typically hourly,period for set each day throughout a subscription period, such as by theweek or month. FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing a routine for arecurring reservations service 170 for use in the parking services 12 ofFIG. 1. To book a recurring reservation, an urban resident identifies adesired parking space and reservation term (step 171). The parkingservices 12 check whether there are constraints that prevent therecurring reservation from being booked. For example, use of the parkingspace 24 may require a special permit, such as for handicapped parking,or the resident may try to reserve a parking spac3 24 that is notavailable because the space is already scheduled to be in use.Additionally, some parking spaces 24 may not allow recurringreservations at all. For example, the space located at the curb cut of aprivate driveway can only be recurrently reserved by the residenthimself, unless he chooses to rent the parking space, as furtherdescribed infra. Furthermore, limits on the length of the subscriptionmay restrict whether a motorist can make a recurring reservation.

If the reservation term is clear of any pre-existing time constraintsand no contention with other residents is discovered (step 172), theparking services 12 book the recurring reservation for the resident(step 174). In an urban neighborhood, though, contention may be more therule than the exception and several residents may want the same parkingspaces 24. To ensure an orderly and fair process of booking recurringreservations in an urban neighborhood, the parking services 12 canimpose a scheduled period for conducting an auction for the contendedparking space 24. For example, the auction may take place on the firstday of each month. Prior to the date of auction, residents can entertheir bids. Special privileges may apply for homeowners, elderlyresidents, the handicapped people, and so on. As well, the biddingresidents need not be present for the online auction, which can occurautomatically. At the time of auction, the parking services 12 evaluateat the bids and assign a winner. All of the bidders are notified. Thewinning bidder gets the recurring reservation. A delay period betweenthe running of the auction and the time at which the first usableparking reservation takes effect for the winning bidder may apply.Several auction-based approaches may be used (step 173), which, by wayof example, include:

Space Auction. Contracts for particular parking spaces 24 may be broughtup for auction on a regular basis. Interested parties could be informedby the parking services 12 with the highest bidder gets the parkingspace 24.

Multiple-Allocation Auction. An allocation process can be used, whereresidents specify several parking preferences and bids. The parkingservices 12 allocate parking spaces 24 to balance the residents' needsand revenue.

Auction with Subsidies. A subsidy or advantage is given to particularresidents to for various reasons, such as location or to compensate fordisadvantages or other inequities. For example, a substantial advantagemay be awarded to handicapped or elderly people to enable them to parknear their residence. Alternatively, an advantage may be given to peopleliving closest to a parking space 24 under auction.

The various auction-based approaches could take into account the numberof parking reservations existing on a particular city block or in aregion associated with a bidder and limit the number of parking spaces24 that one resident could hold. In addition, a parking space 24 couldhave an escalating price per vehicle for recurring reservations todiscourage a resident from monopolizing the parking on a city block withonly his own vehicles.

Service: Guest Reservation

The guest reservation service accommodates making a parking reservationfor a guest. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a guestreservation service 180 for use in the parking services 12 of FIG. 1.This service differs from a regular reservation in that the parkingservices 12 need to validate a possibly unknown guest when they park. Inseveral of these approaches, the parking services 12 can provide a graceperiod for the host and guest to carry out the validation process.

Several approaches can be used to enable the guest to check in when theyhave parked. By way of example, the approaches include:

Parking Code (step 182). When a host creates a guest reservation (step181), the parking services 12 generates a parking code, such as afour-digit number, that the guest can enter into a parking device 21 orparking services kiosk 19 at check-in present. The parking code can begenerated in various different ways. The parking code is given to thehost, which he can pass on to the guest or enter himself (step 186).

Guest Identification (step 183). When a host creates a guest reservation(step 181), the host can provide the name of the guest (step 187). Ifthe parking identity of the guest is known to the parking services 12 byvirtue of having a parking account 37 a-c, the guest can use his parkingidentity or other identification during check-in.

Physical Digital Record (step 184). When a host creates a guestreservation (step 181), the parking services 12 send the host a bar codeor other unique digital record (step 188) that can be physicallyreproduced for the parking event, generally by print out by the host orthe guest, together with directions for finding the parking space 24.The guest presents the printout using the user interface of a parkingdevice 21 at check-in.

Digital Ticket or Permit (step 185). When a host creates a guestreservation (step 181), the host receives a digital object, possiblyencrypted, which is electronically transmitted to the guest (step 188).The guest presents the digital ticket or permit to the parking services12 at check-in through transmission from a mobile device 15, 16, 17.

Host Confirmation (step 190). The validity of a guest could be confirmedby the host. The parking services 12 contact the host when the parkingevent occurs (step 191), or the guest contacts the host directly, suchas by mobile telephone. Alternatively, the parking device 21 could opena voice, text message, or video connection to the host. The host thenwould confirm via a networked device that the vehicle in the parkingspace belongs to the guest (step 192).

In a further embodiment, a host is permitted to make reservations formultiple guests at the same time. For example, the host could reserve agroup of parking spaces 24 and get a single parking code or digitalticket or permit for all guests. A guest could park in any of theavailable parking spaces 24 in the group.

The parking services 12 also can help guests find their reserved parkingspaces 24 (step 193). In the simplest case, the parking spaces 24 maysimply be labeled. However, labels may be difficult to see at night.Alternatively, the parking services 12 could cause the parkingindicators 23 to flash using, for instance, red-and-green lights, todraw the attention of the guest searching for the parking space 24. Theflashing behavior could begin at the beginning of the parkingreservation period. The parking services 12 could also flash the lightson or give some other indication using a parking device 21 or parkingservices kiosk 19 when the guest gets near the parking space 24 orrequests additional assistance. The request could be made via anapplication on the guest's mobile device 15, 16, 17 or just be triggeredby the start time of the guest reservation.

If the parking reservation was communicated electronically, such as byemail or text message, a map could be included by the parking services12, as well as GPS coordinates for the parking space 24, which couldboth be transmitted into a GPS application in the guest's mobile device15, 16, 17 to guide the guest to the parking space 24. The mobile device15, 16, 17 may itself be able to alert the guest that they are neartheir guest parking space 24, or could send a signal to the parkingservices 12, parking device 21, or parking services kiosk 19 to ask thata parking indicator 23 or other indication be enabled to guide thedriver in. As well, the guest could be given a telephone number to callshortly before reaching the area to request that the indicators beginflashing. The GPS coordinates of the parking space 24 could also beprovided to applications executing on on-board navigational orinformational devices 17 in the guest's vehicle or on a mobile device15, 16, 17 to provide maps, audio, or visual signals as to the guest asthey near the parking space 24.

Service: Space Renting

At times, potential parking spaces 24 remain unavailable in urbansettings simply for lack of an easy way to indicate the times when thoseparking spaces 24 could be used by drivers. For example, driveways areordinarily on private property and generally unavailable to people whodo not know the owners or otherwise lack permission. Similarly, curbcuts where driveways meet the street are generally unavailable forparking. Moreover, small businesses often have parking lots, which theydo not use outside of regular business hours. The “space renting”service enables individuals holding rights to parking spaces 24, such aslandlords or urban residents, to make those parking spaces 24 availablefor public parking during periods that they specify. FIG. 14 is a flowdiagram showing a routine for a space renting service 200 for use in theparking services 12 of FIG. 1. Preliminarily, if not already present,the city or municipality places a parking device 21 or parking serviceskiosk 19 near the parking space 24 at the resident's house. The parkingservices 12 then associates the parking device 21 or parking serviceskiosk 19 with a controlling parking account. The system enables theresident to make the curb-cut parking space 24 available for renting onsome days, and unavailable on other days, depending upon his schedule.On an ongoing basis, the resident may have some days when he regularlyrents the parking space 24 out, such as while away from home or at work.On other days, however, like on the weekends, the resident may be athome and need his own parking space 24 for his own use.

Residents or other individuals who control a rented parking space 24 areprovided a permit by the parking services 12 that allows them to setconstraints on the use of the parking space 24. For example, theresidents could limit and change the hours of availability, prohibit theparking of oversized vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, taxicabs, and thelike, or only allow certain classes of vehicles to park. Other types ofpermit uses and restrictions are possible.

Several processes are undertaken to facilitate space renting. In oneprocess, the resident applies for a parking device 21 or parkingservices kiosk 19, which would need to be installed near the parkingspace 24 that the resident intends to offer for rental. In a secondprocess, the local parking authorities add the parking device 21 orparking services kiosk 19 into the parking services 12. In a thirdprocess, the resident enters parking constraints, which indicate whenthe parking space 24 may be rented. In a fourth process, which occursonce the parking space 24 has been assimilated into the parking services12, drivers can make reservations, check-in, or leave the parking space24. At a high level, the parking services 12 first identify the residentor rights holder (step 201) and determines the identity of the parkingspace 24 being offered for rental (step 202). If the ability of theresident to rent the parking space 24 is valid (step 203), the parkingspace 24 is added to the set of parking spaces available through theparking services server (step 204). The service thus has the public goodof using potential parking spaces 24 more effectively without the needto build more.

Revenues from motorists parking in these spaces could be shared with theresidents or individuals who control the space (step 205). In oneembodiment, the resident receives compensation on a periodic basis. Theamount of compensation can depend upon the amount of revenue actuallycollected for the parking space 24, which can help guard against abusiverental practices, such as where a resident blacks out the most valuedhours in expectation of receiving revenue for a parking space 24 thatactually sees little use, thereby not actually contributing the spacefor public use.

Merchant Parking Services

Service: Validate Parking

The validate parking service enables merchants to validate, that is, payfor parking for their customers. FIG. 15 is a flow diagram showing aroutine for a validate parking service 210 for use in the parkingservices 12 of FIG. 1. One of the service's goals is to make parkingtransactions easier for both merchants and their customers by assistingwith identifying the customer and the parking event.

Where the customer has already checked in to a parking space 24 (step211), as described supra, the parking services 12 has already recordedthe details of the parking event, including when and where the customerparked. When the customer provides identification to the merchant (step212), the parking identification parking services 12 attempt to locatethe parking event (step 213) and validate the parking (step 214). In astreamlined scenario, validation can take place automatically, such aswhen the customer makes a purchase with a credit card. When the customerprovides the credit card at the point of sale, the merchant'spoint-of-sale terminal or similar system automatically checks thecustomer's identity into the parking services 12, which can then findthe relevant parking event. Policies set by the merchant can determinehow much credit is normally allotted for parking, which can possibly becontingent on the amount of sales to the customer. The validationswitches parking charges from the customer to the merchant (step 215).In addition, the receipt given to the customer can contain a messagethanking the customer for their business and telling them that theirparking has been validated.

If the customer does not have a parking identity, or a temporary touristparking permit, as described infra, the merchant could print avalidation ticket or temporary credit or debit card that the customercould take to a parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 to carryout validation. The driver could also simply provide the uniqueidentifier assigned to a parking device 21 to the merchant duringvalidation.

Service: Parking Coupons

Merchants may want to encourage potential customers to come to theirstore as part of a sale or other promotion event. FIG. 16 is a flowdiagram showing a routine for a parking coupons service 220 for use inthe parking services 12 of FIG. 1. One approach to facilitating merchantpromotions is to enable the merchants to issue parking coupons, whichcustomers can use at parking devices 21. These coupons could be givenout at the store or included in advertisements in newspapers ormagazines. The coupons could also be implemented as digital tickets orpermits for use in mobile devices 15, 16, 17.

A customer would thus merely have to first obtain a parking coupon fromthe merchant (step 221), which is then presented at the parking device21 or parking services kiosk 19 (step 222) when they park for free ordiscounted parking. Coupons could be limited to work only on certaindays and times and only in parking spaces 24 in the vicinity of theissuing merchant's store and the parking services 12 would first verifythat the conditions for parking are met (step 223). If the parking ispermissible (step 224), the customer's parking is validated (step 225)and the merchant is assessed their portion of the parking charges (step226). In a further embodiment, if the customer makes a purchase at thestore, the merchant could use the parking coupon at the point-of-sale toupgrade a customer reward or to give the customer an additionaldiscount.

Service: Customer Priority Parking

Merchants may want to provide priority parking for their customers onthe day of a sale or at other times. For example, they may want toencourage customers by providing priority parking for them in front oftheir store. The customer priority parking service enables merchants toallocate these parking spaces for their customers during a specificperiod. FIG. 17 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a customerpriority parking service 230 for use in the parking services 12 ofFIG. 1. Parking is allocated to the merchant by the parking services 12during the specified parking period (step 231). The parking indicators23 proximate to the allotted parking spaces 24 are set to indicate thepriority status of the parking spaces 24 (step 232). For example, theparking spaces 24 could flash green-and-blue indicators, accompanied bya short message displayed on the parking device 21.

When a customer parks in one of the designated parking spaces 24, thecustomer could either request parking validation (step 233) or present aparking coupon (step 234), as both described supra, to have theirparking validated. Other drivers who park in the allotted parking spaces24 during the specified parking period would not be able to getvalidations for parking unless they were also customers and could haveincreased fees charged for using those parking spaces 24 to helpcompensate the merchant's outlay.

In a further embodiment, merchants in a shopping district could jointogether in a promotion to develop district shopping awareness andsubsidize parking during the promotion. The parking services 12 couldgive special discounts or other rewards if the drivers make purchases atmultiple stores involved in the promotion.

Service: Merchant-Guided Policies

Merchants may sometimes find changing parking regulations temporarily tobe helpful to business. For example, an ice cream shop may want toencourage rapid parking turn-over in front of their shop. Amerchant-guided parking service enables merchants purchase changes inregular parking constraints for parking spaces 24 in front of or near totheir businesses. Some limits may apply. This service can be combinedwith customer-priority parking, as described supra, to more effectivelycontrol parking in front of or near a business by raising fees andshortening parking periods for non-customers.

Service: Tourist Privileges

In various locales, business districts are sometimes providedspecifically for catering to the needs of tourists. FIG. 18 is a flowdiagram showing a routine for a tourist privileges service 240 for usein the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. The tourist privileges serviceincludes two separate yet related processes. The first process involvesthe issuing of tourist parking identification cards (step 241). Forexample, a rental car agency may issue these cards to customers, whowish to conveniently run their curb-side parking charges through theirrental car contract. The parking identification card may be offered bytourism bureaus, hotels, rental car companies, and the like. The abilityto issue tourist parking identification cards could be governed bydigital tickets or permit, as described supra. Agencies offering touristbenefits could begin to issue the tourist parking identification cardsupon receiving the digital tickets or permits. These agencies wouldreceive a stack of blank tourist parking identification cards. Usingtheir digital tickets or permits, they would activate these cards. Fortracking purposes, the agencies may be required to fill in informationabout the tourist, sales discounts, and so forth.

The second process involves using the tourist parking identificationcards at check in (step 242). Merchants in business districts andtourism bureaus can also promote business and tourism by providingspecial parking help and privileges to tourists. In effect, a touristwith a parking identification card has a “special permit” that triggersvarious offers when checking into a parking space 24. Tourist privilegescollectively combine services used by the merchants with services usedby tourists and business travelers. Tourists can access privileges usinga tourist-enabled parking identification card. Tourist privileges can bekeyed to specific parking spaces 24 or throughout a tourism businessdistrict. Specific privileges for tourists include, for instance, thefollowing benefits:

Extended Parking Limits. Parking limits may be extended for tourists togive them more time to shop and find their way around.

Reduced Parking Rates. Tourists may be offered reduced parking rates,subsidized by tourism bureaus, hotels, rental car companies, and thelike.

Day Passes or All-Day Rates for Parking. Tourists could also be offeredto day passes or all-day parking rates, along with transportation cardsthat could connect with other transportation services or be used withmerchants for tourist discounts.

Other Discounts. Tourist parking identification cards could be presentedto merchants to qualify for discounts in purchasing goods and services.

Additionally, when a vehicle driven by a tourist leaves a parking space24, the parking services 12 could send the driver a courtesy notice thatthanks him for using the parking service and provide a receipt.Additionally, the parking services 12 could send a notice that their carhas left the parking space 24, which, for a tourist, may be an earlynotice that their car has been stolen or towed. The notice could also beprovided as a service to all motorists and not just tourists.

Service: Advertising

In one embodiment, the parking devices 21 and parking services kiosks 19include a display 26 (shown in FIG. 2) for presenting additionalinformation. In a shopping district, for instance, these displays 26could be used for advertising to promote local businesses. For example,during a sale, a display 26 could run an advertisement for the goodsbeing offered on sale. The advertisements can include color and soundfeatures, as well as directions for reaching the store from the parkingdevice 21. In another example, near mealtime, a display 26 could featurean advertisement for food or drinks available at a nearby restaurant. Aninteractive advertisement, transacted through a combination of thedisplay 26 and the user interface of the parking device 21, could enablea user to reserve a table at the restaurant.

Service: Scheduled Deliveries (Flexible Loading Zones)

Loading zones are often problematic in business districts. Localgovernments often resist allocating loading zones to preserve publicparking, particularly as loading zones can tend to remain vacant duringmost of the day. Conversely, a scarcity of loading zones often seems tooccur whenever several delivery vehicles arrive at the same time.Further, those same delivery vehicles often double park, causingcongestion and other traffic problems.

The parking services 12 can facilitate a more flexible way to arrangeparking for scheduled deliveries. FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing aroutine for a scheduled deliveries service 250 for use in the parkingservices 12 of FIG. 1. The scheduled deliveries service enablesmerchants and delivery organizations to dynamically reserve parking fordeliveries ahead of time. This approach allows the number of loadingzones to flexibly grow and shrink according to need, thereby enablingsmoother deliveries and providing more parking spaces 24 when deliveriesare not scheduled.

The scheduled deliveries service includes two separate yet relatedprocesses. The first process involves allocating parking spaces 24 fordelivery or loading zones. There are different ways to allocate parkingspaces 24. For example, a loading zone can be set up through areservation for a particular driver or can be reserved for anyone with aloading zone permit.

The second process involves check-in, where a driver checks in to adelivery or loading zone. Parking indicators 23 are set to signal theuse of parking spaces 24 for deliveries (step 251). One approach is tosimply use a red indicator for reserved parking spaces 24. Anotherapproach is to use a combination of color indicators and signals toclearly mark a loading zone. For example, a parking indicator 23 couldshow a blue indicator, signaling that a permit is required, and alsoflash a yellow indicator, indicating that the space is available foronly a short while.

Different arrangements for reserving parking spaces 24 for scheduleddelivery can be provided. For example, flexible loading zones include:

Specific Delivery (step 252). A specific parking space 24 is reservedfor a particular delivery. The parking identity of the driver of thedelivery vehicle is verified at check (step 256). Only authorizedparking identities (step 257) enable permissible parking in the loadingzone (step 258). Unauthorized use of the loading zone parking space 24can trigger guided enforcement, as further described infra, and couldinclude automatic reporting of parking violations (step 259).

Open Delivery (step 253). One or more parking spaces 24 are allocatedfor delivery during a set period (step 254). The parking spaces 24 areavailable for any authorized delivery during the period. The number ofparking spaces allocated can be decreased (step 255) as deliveries arecompleted.

Service: Valet Parking

Some merchants wish to develop a high sense of customer service byproviding enhanced parking services to their customers. For example,they may wish to provide convenient access to substantial parking withina fixed distance from their establishment to their customers. Suitableparking facilities, however, are not always available in urban settings.Alternatively, merchants provide valet parking service to customers,thereby freeing their customers from the hassles and inconvenience ofself-parking.

Parking Pre-Reserved for Valet Services

Typically, valet parking might be provided by an organization or groupfor a special one-time occasion or event, such as a wedding, funeral, orblack tie gala, or on a regular or periodic basis by a local business orother on-going concern, such as a restaurant, bar, retail store, orairport. In one embodiment, the merchants use pre-reserved publicparking spaces 24 to support the valet parking services provided fortheir customers' convenience. FIG. 20 is a flow diagram showing aroutine for a valet parking service 260 for use in the parking services12 of FIG. 1. There are several prerequisites to providing a valetparking service. First, each service must have a permit or similar formof permission from the city or municipality that allows the service toreserve parking spaces 24 for valet parking purposes. The permissionalso enables use of their special valet parking identification cards andallows the service to maintain an inventory of valet parkingservice-usable parking spaces 24, as well as potentially makingavailable online valet parking support. The valet parking serviceincludes the “Check-In” and the “Find My Car” services, respectivelydescribed supra with reference to FIGS. 6 and 11. However, these twoservices are tuned to work with each registered valet's identificationcard. In one embodiment, each valet has a stack of such identificationcards, which can each be associated with a customer's car.

In this form of parking service, a valet parking company, a merchant, orsome type of sponsoring party arranges to reserve several parking spaces24 near a designated location (step 261), generally adjacent to theirestablishment or event, for valet parking of customers' vehicles. Thevalet parking reservation could be for a fixed period that runs out whenthe reserved time expires, but can be automatically renewed or set up torun periodically or based on a schedule. Alternatively, the valetparking reservation could be open-ended. The merchant, who could berepresenting a restaurant, hotel, special event, and so on, registersone or more parking spaces 24 with the parking services 12 to be usedfor valet parking. Businesses sometimes employ their own staff of valetsor contract with a valet parking service. Through the show parkingavailability service 50, the parking indicator 23 at each of thereserved parking spaces 24 identifies the parking space 24 as notavailable for parking by the general public (step 262). The merchantprovides the valets with the locations of these pre-reserved parkingspaces 24, which the valets use to park customers' vehicles.

Typically, valet employees greet customers and receive their cars forparking (step 263). A valet pickup location may be designated, which iswhere customers drop off and pick up their cars with the valet parkingservice. Generally, the valet pickup location is close by the businessthat is sponsoring the event, although a floating or on-request pickuplocation could also be arranged with prior customer notice, as furtherdescribed below. In a further embodiment, a parking space 24 can bedesignated as the valet pickup location. The vehicle sensor 22 detectsthat a vehicle has parked in the parking space 24 and a valet isnotified by a message or other notification sent via the parkingservices 12.

With the assistance of the parking services 12, available reservedparking spaces 24 can be identified to each valet (step 264). In thecustomary fashion of valet parking, the customer permits the valet topark his car (step 265) and hold onto the car's ignition keys, or othermeans for entering and starting the vehicle, until he returns.Generally, the ignition keys are kept in a secure storage. Althoughdescribed herein with reference to conventional car ignition keys, othertypes of car access and ignition switching devices are contemplated,including codes for keyless entry systems that use door-mounted keypadsand hands free ignition systems that allows a driver to start a car'sengine if seated in the driver's seat and in possession of a wirelessignition transponder. Accordingly, “car keys” or “ignition keys” will beunderstood to apply to all manner of means for entering and starting avehicle that could be left in the custody of a parking valet or otherapproved individual. By way of example, such car keys includetraditional metal blade-type keys with teeth or similar featuresprovided on the edge of each blade, transistorized and electronic keys,limited-use keys, such as “valet” keys that start the ignition and openthe driver's door only, code immobilizer and infrared keys, accesscodes, and remote keyless entry fobs. Other forms of car or ignitionkeys are possible.

Upon completion of business, a valet can get customers' cars ready forpick up (step 266), provided the valet knows when the customer is likelyto return, by retrieving the ignition keys from the secure storage andretrieving their car, although other arrangements for post-valet parkingcar retrieval are possible, such as pre-positioning a customer's car ina parking space 24 closer to the place of pick up, as further describedbelow. At some point during the valet parking process, the valet checksout the customer and handles any billing through the parking services 12(step 267). The check out might be as simple as notating that thecustomer has picked up his car and left, or could require transactingthe purchase of the valet parking services. Finally, the valet parkingservice can perform analytics (step 268) on the overall use of theservice by retrieving and evaluating the customer parking data stored bythe parking services 12.

Vehicle Location Tracking

In basic form, the valet parking service uses the parking services 12 tosimply enable the merchant to use the parking spaces 24 for a valetpurpose. The parking services 12 keeps the parking spaces 24 availableexclusively to the valets and does not ordinarily track where the valetsare parking particular cars.

To facilitate valet parking, particularly where the reserved parkingspaces are located out of the line-of-sight of the valet attendants'station, the parking services 12 can keep track of where particular eachcar is located, instead of only keeping the parking spaces reserved forthe valet service. FIG. 21 is a flow diagram showing a routine for avalet parking service with vehicle location tracking 270 for use in theparking services 12 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a further embodiment.As with basic valet parking, a set of parking spaces is reserved (step271) and reserved parking spaces are identified through their respectiveparking indicators 23 (step 272). Valet employees greet customers andreceive their cars for parking (step 273). With the assistance of theparking services 12, available reserved parking spaces 24 are identifiedto each valet (step 274) and each customer has a valet park his car(step 275). Additionally, the valet uses the parking services 12 to keeptrack the locations of their customers' cars (step 276). For example,the valet parking attendants could be issued parking identificationcards to swipe through the nearest parking device 21 or parking serviceskiosk 19 upon which they could notate their customers' identificationand vehicle information, thereby allowing the parking services 12 totrack the location at which a particular vehicle is parked.

As the parking services 12 keeps track of where the valets are parkingthe customer's cars, the valets could later use a variation of the “FindMy Car” service, as described supra, to locate the valet-reservedparking spaces for the vehicles that they have parked for theircustomers (step 277). Different levels of valet parking service can beprovided along the theme of “how does the valet indicate which car isparked where?” as described infra.

Various additional services can be used to support valet parkingservices. For example, the parking services 12 could provide a “valetcustomer check-in” service. This service could enable the valet tocollect information about the customer, which would includeidentification and contact information, such as a credit card number andtelephone number. In addition, the collected customer information couldinclude an estimate by the customer about when they expect to return fortheir vehicle.

In support of the valet, the system can find an available parking space24. When a valet parks a car, he swipes the parking identification cardthat he assigned to that car, so that the system knows which car isparked in what parking space 24. The system could also keep acorrespondence between a customer's credit card or other form ofidentification that provides, for instance, the customer's name, and aparking identification card to help identify a car when a customerreturns. When a parked car is moved from its parking space 24, theparking indicator 23 maintained by the parking services 12 wouldcontinue to show that the parking space 24 is reserved for valetservice, but that the parking space 24 is not currently occupied.Further, the valet parking service could also set up a designated “valetdrop-off” parking space 24. When a car is parked in that space, thesystem could automatically summon a valet, who is notified that there isa car that needs to be parked. Cars could also be returned to the “valetdrop-off” parking space 24 for customer pickup, or another parking space24 could be designated for valet pick-up.

Upon completion of business, a valet ordinarily gets each customer's carready for pick up (step 278), although other arrangements for post-valetparking car retrieval are possible, as further described below. At somepoint during the valet parking process, the valet checks out thecustomer and handles any billing through the parking services 12 (step279).

Various additional online services can also be used. For example, when avalet has a new vehicle to park, the parking services 12 canautomatically suggest an unoccupied parking space 24 for the vehicle. Ifthe system knows the expected return times of valet patrons, the systemcould also help the valets get the cars ready for the patrons bysuggesting to the valets to move cars to convenient locations ahead of apatron's expected return. Similarly, when cars are moved in or out ofvalet parking spaces 24, the parking services 12 help valets keep trackof what parking spaces 24 are still available and what cars still needto be picked up. The system could provide these suggestions andassistance through various displays or by sending messages to thevalets.

Finally, the system can provide analytics or reports (step 280) aboutthe valet parking for a night or event, including occupancy by hour, theparticular comings and goings of valet-parked cars, the particular carsparked by various valets, and so forth.

Distributed On-Street Valets

Motorists who use valet parking services generally expect valets to befound in certain places, most generally nearby the entrance to abusiness, which they seek to patronize, such as at curbside in front ofa restaurant or at other customary or designated valet drop offlocations. The practice of locating valets close by a business bothminimizes the distance that a motorist has to walk to the business,perhaps only a few steps, which is helpful in rainy weather or whenwearing high heels or dressy garments, and increases the business'clientele, particularly where a lack of convenient parking wouldotherwise discourage or prevent customers from stopping by.

Valet parking, however, need not always be associated with a particularbusiness' front entrance or limited to a special occasion. Instead,valets could be stationed throughout an urban environment or anywhereparking is needed to provide convenient parking services, so long asmotorists know beforehand where or how to find them. Advances in mobilecommunications and on-board navigation and “infotainment” systems areincreasingly enabling motorists to stay in touch with other people andconcerns, even while in transit. Arranging a curbside valet rendezvousno longer needs to be a carefully orchestrated event that requiresadvanced planning and which accounts for contingencies, such as trafficdelay, as the motorist can now simply call ahead and update thereceiving party if unforeseen circumstances necessitate a cancellationor sudden change in plans.

Distributed on-street valet parking services could be provided bydistributing valets throughout an urban area or wherever parking isneeded. FIG. 22 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a distributedon-street valet parking service 290 for use in the parking services 12of FIG. 1 in accordance with a further embodiment. As with basic valetparking, a set of parking spaces is reserved (step 291) and reservedparking spaces are identified through their respective parkingindicators 23 (step 292). Valets are stationed at curbside, on thestreet, or at other convenient or pre-arranged locations (step 293). Amotorist will meet one of the valets (step 294) and, with the assistanceof the parking services 12, the valet would then find a reserved parkingspace 24 for each customer's vehicle (step 295) and park his car (step296). This approach reduces the uncertainty of finding a parking spotbecause the burden is offloaded to the valet. Moreover, the risk to avalet of a customer delay or no-show and inefficiencies due to timewasted waiting for a customer are counterbalanced by the valet's abilityto contact a customer in their car.

Distributed valet parking helps motorists ensure their cars are actuallyparked without worrying over a scofflaw stealing their reserved parkingspace at an inopportune time. Parking spaces reserved by motoriststhrough an on-line street reservation system still remain exposed tonon-participating drivers who may choose to “poach” the parking spaces,which have been legitimately reserved by others, thereby upsetting thebalance and expectation of having a reserved spot. The valets could belocated on-street or in other locations either pre-designated orarranged in advance, thereby enabling the valets to be found byprospective customers. For instance, a motorist could arrange arendezvous with a valet in an alleyway that would allow safe unloadingof passengers and cargo, rather than on a particularly busy streetwithout authorized curbside access.

If the distributed valet service is for both drop-off and pick-up (step297), the valet can optionally use the parking services 12 to keep trackthe locations of their customers' cars (step 298). Upon completion ofbusiness, a valet ordinarily gets each customer's car ready for pick up(step 299), although other arrangements for post-valet parking carretrieval are possible, as further described above. At some point duringthe valet parking process, the valet checks out the customer and handlesany billing through the parking services 12 (step 300). Post-valetparking service analytics can also be performed (step 301).

In a still further embodiment, the distributed valet service can bestructured for drop-off only (step 297). Upon receiving a car forparking, the valet would give the motorist a token to unlock a lockbox(step 302) that is located close to where the driver dropped off thecar. The token would enable the motorist to retrieve his car keys fromthe lockbox upon return. Upon parking the customer's car, the valetwould place the car keys in the lockbox (step 303), along with a printedmap or other directions of where to find the parking space for the car.This approach would entail fewer valets and no waiting time for driversto retrieve their cars.

Additionally, motorists would not need to have a smart phone or otherway to communicate with the valets in case they were running late topick up their vehicle. Notwithstanding, where mobile communications withvalets are available, for instance, more sophisticated drivers couldmake a reservation with a valet through their mobile phone and guaranteethat the valet would be waiting for their vehicle drop-off. A drivermight also request that the valet find a parking space close to thedriver's ultimate destination, rather than at the valet's particulardrop-off point or customary curbside station. Later, the driver could benotified by the valet through his mobile phone of the parking locationof the driver's car. Provided the driver had a second key with him, thedriver could retrieve their car first and then drive back to the valetstation to retrieve the first car key from the valet or lockbox, ratherthan first retrieving the key and walking back to his car. Other formsof distributed valet parking services are possible.

Valet Parking Service Levels

By way of example, the valet parking service levels can include:

“Find My Car.” Each valet maintains a stack of parking identificationcards that each have a uniquely assigned identifier, either printed onthe face of the card, electronically embedded into the card, orotherwise integrated into or associated with the card. A parkingidentification card is paired with each set of car keys. When a valetparks a customer's car, the valet registers the parking identificationcard with the nearest parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19,which causes the parking services 12 to record the location of theparking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 in association with theparking identification card. Later, upon customer request, the valetuses the “Find My Car” service, as described supra, to locate thatcustomer's car based on the parking identification card that is pairedwith the requesting customer's car keys. The “Find My Car” service thengenerates a map and directions to the parking space where the customer'scar is parked.

Paper Tickets. A paper ticket with a printed parking identifier isassigned to each customer's set of car keys. When a valet parks acustomer's car, the valet swipes or registers the paper ticket through acard reader or other input device integrated into the user interface ofthe nearest parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 and requestsa valet event number. The valet event number is presented on the display25 and is written on the paper ticket. Alternatively, the parking device21 or parking services kiosk 19 could print the valet event numberdirectly on the paper ticket. Later, the valet enters the event numberinto the parking services 12 and asks for the location of the car in amanner analogous to the “Find My Car” service, described supra.

Vehicle-Centric Identification. When a valet parks a customer's vehiclein a pre-reserved valet parking space, the parking services 12 uses anidentifier that is uniquely associated with each vehicle, such as anRFID tag, parking placard, or the vehicle license plate or vehicleidentification number (VIN), to record the location of the vehicle.Later the valet uses the owner's identity or the vehicle's identifier tolocate the parking location of the car.

Valet Identification. Each valet is issued a parking identificationcard. When a valet parks a customer's car, the valet uses his ownparking identification card and the parking services 12 creates a recordof where the car is parked, associated with the time of parking and thevalet's parking identification. This information is either printed outor transmitted into a handheld device that the valet carries, such as amobile device 15, 16, 17, for later print out. The valet attaches theprinted information to the customer's car keys, which can be used toquery the parking services 12 for the parking location of the car.

Service: Special Use Reservations

Parking spaces 24 are sometimes used by communities for purposes otherthan parking. For example, parking spaces 24 may be used temporarily asa staging area in a construction zone. Similarly, restaurants may findmoving tables or other outside activities into the street to bebeneficial, such as during late summertime evenings. As well, businessdistricts may want to reserve a block of parking spaces 24 for a specialevent that flows into the street. The parking services 12 include aspecial use reservations service to enable communities, merchants, andothers to reserve parking spaces for special use purposes.

Parking Authority Parking Services

Service: Guided Enforcement

The parking services 12 maintain the locations of each vehicle parked ina parking space 24 under its control and is able to determine compliancewith applicable parking regulations and time constraints, both facets ofwhich can be helpful to parking enforcement officials. FIG. 23 is a flowdiagram showing a routine for a guided enforcement service 310 for usein the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. Parking violations canautomatically be determined (step 311) and documented (step 312) by theparking services 12 through examination of the sensor data 40 and devicedata 41 continually provided respectively through the sensors 22 andparking devices 21. Parking authorities can be alerted as the parkingviolations (step 313) and provided photographs and other parkingviolation indicia. Where permitted, the parking services 12 could eventake action (step 314), such as issuing parking violation citations,summoning a tow truck, or take other action. For instance, in lieu oftowing a car, a vehicle immobilizer or parking “boot” could be placed onthe offending vehicle by parking authorities to render the vehicleundriveable. The parking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 candisplay instructions to the driver, who can call in or go online to paya parking fine. He will then receive a security code that allows him toremove the boot for later drop off at a collection point. Whether toimmobilize or tow depends on the scarcity of parking spaces and otherfactors.

Service: Schedule Street Event

Similar to special uses undertaken by businesses, as described supra,communities sometime schedule events that require street closure. FIG.24 is a flow diagram showing a routine for a schedule street eventservice 320 for use in the parking services 12 of FIG. 1. Street eventparking can be arranged ahead of time. Parking authorities can enter thedates and times for these events into the parking services 12 (step321). The parking services 12 log the time and identifies the parkingdevices 21 and parking services kiosks 19 affected. When time for thestreet event arrives, the parking indicators 23 are set to restrictparking on the street (step 322), rather than having to have parkingcontrol officers place signs or cover parking meters manually.

During the duration of the street event, the parking services 12 handlesituations where a vehicle attempts to parks in a reserved parking space24. If free parking is provided to motorist as part of the street event,parking services 12 ignores the parking space 24. As well, the sensors22 may also detect other non-parking activities, such as activations dueto vending carts, foot traffic, and the like. These non-parkingactivities can also be ignored. The time period during which the parkingservices 12 ignore such parking events can be set at the time that thestreet event is scheduled, or at any time later by the parking account37 a-c for the event. Additionally, the parking services 12 allowauthorized individuals, such as event organizers, to access a parkingdevice 21 or parking services kiosk 19, use an authorized street eventparking identification card, and report a parking violation if they wanta vehicle removed from one of their street event parking spaces 24.

The parking services 12 automatically reset the parking indicators 23after the street event is over. Additionally, the parking services 12can undertake guided enforcement (step 323), as described supra, toensure the event commencement.

Service: Manage Street Sweeping

Street sweeping services are provided in many urban settings. Typically,the hours of street sweeping are posted and vehicles can be fined ifthey are parked on a street during the posted period. Several usefulvariations on managing street sweeping of benefit to both themunicipality undertaking street sweeping and motorists who live onstreets subject to sweeping can be provided by the aforementioned suiteof parking services.

For instance, parking spaces could be more completely utilized if theparking system kept track of when street sweeping is finished forindividual city blocks. Conventionally, no vehicles can be parked inparking spaces on streets subject to sweeping during the entire periodwhen street sweeping is scheduled, even if sweeping has been completedon a particular street before the expiry of the period. Using thenetworked parking services, the parking spaces could be made availablefor parking sooner once the sweeping of a city block is complete. Thenotification of sweeping completion could be made by a street sweepingvehicle equipped with, for instance, a GPS locational device andcommunications equipment capable of remotely interfacing the vehicle tothe parking services servers 12 or other gateway into the parkingservices network.

Residents could also be allowed to remain parked through astreet-sweeping cycle. For instance, an urban resident may need to parkon the street while away on vacation, even during those times whenstreet sweeping is ordinarily scheduled. In this situation, the residentwould pay a penalty for parking during the sweeping period ahead oftime, essentially reserving the parking space, albeit at a higher rate,or by using special permit obtained in advance of the needed timeperiod. The municipality would collect the fee from the resident withoutlogging a parking violation, thereby helping offset higher-cost manualstreet cleaning around the resident's parked vehicle as needed.

Finally, motorists could be provided an alert service if their cars areparked at the wrong time in a street sweeping zone. These motoristscould be alerted by automated text message, telephone call, or othermeans in time for them to move their vehicles and allow street sweepingto proceed as scheduled.

Examples of the Parking Services Server in Action

Friendly on-Street Parking Services for Shoppers and Merchants

When convenient parking for a store or shopping district is unavailableor unpredictable, shoppers are discouraged from going out. Furthermore,merchants have no direct way to encourage people to drive to theirstores, such as by easily validating on-street parking. As well, tourismbureaus have no way to promote access for visitors by simplifyingon-street parking or by giving visitors preferential treatment inparking or violation handling.

The time needed to complete everyday errands is often variable and thetime required to find parking in a business district depends upontraffic and the level of parking occupancy. After parking, people maybrowse, shop, run errands, or dine, all of which require a variableamount of time. With fixed time periods for parking, these people needto return to parking meters to pay for additional parking time beforethe meter expires, or they must move their cars when the time limit forparking in one particular parking space has been reached.

These parking situations are bad for business. When shoppers need toreturn to their cars, they may decide to simply leave and skip furtherretail purchases. People who value their time have no way to translatetheir needs and level of urgency into increased on-street parkingavailability or predictability. Merchants also lack the means toincentivize people to come to their district, or to modify parkingpolicies in ways that promote business for themselves or their businessdistrict.

The real-time and account-based parking services provided through theparking services 12 and a network of smart parking devices 21 addressthe needs of these individuals. In a typical scenario, a driver cancheck that a parking space 24 is available and can then simply park hisvehicle. A sensor 22 detects that the parking space 24 is now occupiedand prompts the driver to check in and provide a parking identity forthe parking event. The driver may swipe a parking identification card,credit card, or other form of identification at the parking device 21,thereby enabling the parking services 12 to determine the driver'sidentity, validate any required parking privileges, and log the parkingevent. Later, the driver might make purchases at a local store. By usingthe customer's parking identity, the parking services 12 can identifythe current parking event, log a parking validation for the customer,and cover the customer's parking charges for a period.

Additionally, merchants, civic groups, and other similar interests couldobtain special permits or specialized accounts for interacting with theparking services 12. In addition to providing validation of customerparking, merchants can reserve also parking spaces 24 in front of theirstores for scheduled deliveries, thus reducing the congestion-inducingpractice of double-parking to unload goods.

Residential Parking Services

In urban neighborhoods, residents sometimes lack garages and have topark on the street at night. They also sometimes have parking needsduring the day. In neighborhoods with conventional coin-fed parkingmeters, residents spending the day at home are forced to continuallyfeed coins to the parking meter or move their car, which can beinconvenient and frustrating.

The parking services provided through the parking services 12 and anetwork of smart parking devices 21 also address the needs of theseindividuals. Urban residents can reserve on-street parking spaces 24near their home for overnight or daytime parking. The policies enforcedfor signing up for parking services may give preferred treatmentaccording to various criteria, such as residential address, level ofparking utilization on the street, and according to any permitspossessed by the resident, such as for handicapped parking.

The parking indicators 23 tell drivers when a parking space 24 isavailable. When someone pulls into a reserved parking space 24, a nearbyparking device 21 provides a visual or audio reminder to check in. Thedriver provides his parking identity by swiping a parking identificationcard or other identifying data. In a further embodiment, a transponderor similar device can automatically retrieve an RFID tag or otherwireless identifier from the vehicle, or a camera integrated into theparking device 21 could read the vehicle's license plate. When a vehicleparks in a reserved parking space, the parking device 21 can issue awarning that the parking space 24 is reserved. If an unauthorized drivertries to check in for parking in a parking space 24 reserved for someoneelse, the parking services 12 can refuse payment and deny parking.

Additionally, the parking services 12 can alert parking enforcementresources about parking violations, thereby taking the urban residentout of the loop of satisfying his parking reservation. If theunauthorized driver does not remove his vehicle within a state time, theparking services 12 could, for instance, summon a parking enforcementofficer to issue a ticket and a tow truck to remove the offendingvehicle. The parking device 21, as well as surrounding parking devices21, could also take pictures to document the parking violation. Wherethe parking services 12 know the identification of the driver,photographic evidence generated through the parking device 21 couldsupport issuance of a traffic citation.

In addition, the parking services 12 can alert drivers if they are atrisk of a parking violation. For example, drivers could receive timelyalerts if a street cleaning time is approaching and they have left theircar in an affected parking space 24 under control of the parkingservices 12. In another example, drivers could be alerted if theirparking time is almost expired where a time limit applies or whenanother driver has previously reserved the parking space 24. Likewise,drivers occasionally forget where they parked. Since the parkingservices 12 has global knowledge of all cars parked in controlledparking spaces 24, drivers could use the “Find My Car” service at anyparking device 21 or parking services kiosk 19 to locate their car.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described asreferenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A computer-implemented system for providing basic valet parkingthrough centrally-managed parking services, comprising: a servermanaging a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through aserver, the server comprising a memory and a processor operativelycoupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executableprogram modules; a plurality of smart parking devices that are eachphysically proximate to least one of the parking spaces; a plurality ofvehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate toleast one of the parking spaces; and a plurality of parking availabilityindicators that are each associated with at least one of the parkingspaces; a reservations module executed by the server reserving use of aplurality of the parking spaces for a valet service, comprising: arequest module accepting a reservation request for the parking spacesthrough the server for use by the valet service for a period of time;and an occupancy module sensing occupancy of the reserved parking spacesby a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor duringthe time period; and an availability module indicating availability ofeach parking space through the nearest parking availability indicatorthroughout the time period based upon the current time and use by thevalet service.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe reserved parking spaces that is not occupied by a motor vehicle isidentified to a valet engaged in the valet service through the nearestsmart parking device.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein a motorvehicle is received from a motorist at a place of drop-off for the valetservice and identification for the motorist and means for entering andstarting the motor vehicle are obtained, after which the motor vehicleis parked by a valet engaged in the valet service in one of the reservedparking spaces.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein a time whenthe motorist is likely to return is determined, and the motor vehicle isparked near to the place of drop-off as the time of return approaches.5. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of the reserved parkingspaces is designated as a valet pickup location, further comprising: thenearest vehicle occupancy sensor sensing occupancy of the valet pickuplocation by a motor vehicle; and the server notifying a valet engaged inthe valet service of the occupancy of the motor vehicle.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: one or more lockboxesphysically proximate to the plurality of parking spaces, wherein meansfor entering and starting a motor vehicle parked by a valet engaged inthe valet service in one of the reserved parking spaces is stored in thenearest lockbox, wherein access to the lockbox to the motorist from whomthe valet received the parked motor vehicle is provided, and theentering and starting means and a location of the smart parking devicethat is nearest to the motorist's parked motor vehicle are provided uponthe accessing of the lockbox by the motorist.
 7. A system according toclaim 1, further comprising: the server identifying at least one of thereserved parking spaces that is not occupied by a motor vehicle, whereina motorist that has engaged the valet service of the location of theidentified reserved parking space is notified and the motorist isallowed to self-park in the identified reserved parking space during thetime period; the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor sensing occupancy ofeach reserved parking space by the motor vehicle; and the nearest smartparking device subsequently verifying the identify of the engagedmotorist.
 8. A computer-implemented method for providing basic valetparking through centrally-managed parking services, comprising: managinga multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a server,comprising: interfacing a plurality of smart parking devices that areeach physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces;interfacing a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also eachphysically proximate to least one of the parking spaces; and interfacinga plurality of parking availability indicators that are each associatedwith at least one of the parking spaces; reserving use of a plurality ofthe parking spaces for a valet service, comprising: accepting areservation request for the parking spaces through the server for use bythe valet service for a period of time; and sensing occupancy of thereserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicleoccupancy sensor during the time period; and indicating availability ofeach parking space through the nearest parking availability indicatorthroughout the time period based upon the current time and use by thevalet service.
 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:identifying at least one of the reserved parking spaces that is notoccupied by a motor vehicle to a valet engaged in the valet servicethrough the nearest smart parking device.
 10. A method according toclaim 8, further comprising: receiving a motor vehicle from a motoristat a place of drop-off for the valet service; and obtainingidentification for the motorist and means for entering and starting themotor vehicle, after which the motor vehicle is parked by a valetengaged in the valet service in one of the reserved parking spaces. 11.A method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining a timewhen the motorist is likely to return, and parking the motor vehiclenear to the place of drop-off as the time of return approaches.
 12. Amethod according to claim 8, further comprising: designating one of thereserved parking spaces as a valet pickup location; sensing occupancy ofthe valet pickup location by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicleoccupancy sensor; and notifying a valet engaged in the valet service ofthe occupancy of the motor vehicle.
 13. A method according to claim 8,further comprising: stationing one or more lockboxes physicallyproximate to the plurality of parking spaces; storing means for enteringand starting a motor vehicle parked by a valet engaged in the valetservice in one of the reserved parking spaces in the nearest lockbox;providing access to the lockbox to the motorist from whom the valetreceived the parked motor vehicle; and providing the entering andstarting means and a location of the smart parking device that isnearest to the motorist's parked motor vehicle upon the accessing of thelockbox by the motorist.
 14. A method according to claim 8, furthercomprising: identifying at least one of the reserved parking spaces thatis not occupied by a motor vehicle through the server; notifying amotorist that has engaged the valet service of the location of theidentified reserved parking space; allowing the motorist to self-park inthe identified reserved parking space during the time period; andsensing occupancy of each reserved parking space by the motor vehiclethrough the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and subsequently verifyingthe identify of the engaged motorist through the nearest smart parkingdevice.
 15. A computer-implemented system for providing vehicle-trackedvalet parking through centrally-managed parking services, comprising: aserver managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through aserver, the server comprising a memory and a processor operativelycoupled to the memory and configured to execute computer executableprogram modules; a plurality of smart parking devices that are eachphysically proximate to least one of the parking spaces; a plurality ofvehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate toleast one of the parking spaces; and a plurality of parking availabilityindicators that are each associated with at least one of the parkingspaces; a reservations module executed by the server reserving use of aplurality of the parking spaces for a valet service, comprising: arequest module accepting a reservation request for the parking spacesthrough the server for use by the valet service for a period of time;and an occupancy module sensing occupancy of each reserved parking spaceby a motor vehicle, wherein the identities of the motor vehicles thatare occupying the reserved parking spaces are determined through thenearest vehicle occupancy sensor; and an availability module indicatingavailability of each parking space through the nearest parkingavailability indicator throughout the time period based upon the currenttime and use by the valet service.
 16. A system according to claim 15,further comprising: a set of parking identification cards issued to eachvalet engaged in the valet service, each parking identification cardcomprising a uniquely assigned identifier; the nearest smart parkingdevice registering one of the parking identification cards upon parkingof a motor vehicle in one of the reserved parking spaces, wherein theregistered parking identification card is associated with means forentering and starting the parked motor vehicle; and the server, uponproviding the identifier comprised on the parking identification card tothe parking server, retrieving a location of the smart parking devicethat is nearest to the parked motor vehicle to which the entering andstarting means associated with the parking identification card belongs.17. A system according to claim 15, further comprising: a set of papertickets to each valet engaged in the valet service; the nearest smartparking device registering one of the paper tickets upon parking of amotor vehicle in one of the reserved parking spaces, wherein a valetevent number is received from the smart parking device, which isrecorded onto or associated with the registered paper ticket, and theregistered paper ticket is registered with means for entering andstarting the parked motor vehicle; and the server, upon providing thevalet event number recorded onto or associated with the paper ticket,retrieving a location of the smart parking device that is nearest to theparked motor vehicle to which the entering and starting means associatedwith the paper ticket belongs.
 18. A system according to claim 15,further comprising: the nearest smart parking device determining anidentity of each motor vehicle parked by a valet engaged in the valetservice that is parked in one of the reserved parking spaces, and uponproviding the motor vehicle's identity to the parking server, retrievinga location of the smart parking device that is nearest to the parkedmotor vehicle to which the identity belongs.
 19. A system according toclaim 15, further comprising: an identity of each valet engaged in thevalet service with the parking server; and the nearest smart parkingdevice determining the identity of the valet that is parking a motorvehicle in one of the reserved parking spaces, and upon providing thevalet's identity to the parking server, retrieving a location of thesmart parking device that is nearest to the parked motor vehicle towhich the identity belongs.
 20. A computer-implemented method forproviding vehicle-tracked valet parking through centrally-managedparking services, comprising: managing a multiplicity of motor vehicleparking spaces through a server, comprising: interfacing a plurality ofsmart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one ofthe parking spaces; interfacing a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensorsthat are also each physically proximate to least one of the parkingspaces; and interfacing a plurality of parking availability indicatorsthat are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces;reserving use of a plurality of the parking spaces for a valet service,comprising: accepting a reservation request for the parking spacesthrough the server for use by the valet service for a period of time;sensing occupancy of each reserved parking space by a motor vehicle; anddetermining the identities of the motor vehicles that are occupying thereserved parking spaces through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor;and indicating availability of each parking space through the nearestparking availability indicator throughout the time period based upon thecurrent time and use by the valet service.
 21. A method according toclaim 20, further comprising: issuing a set of parking identificationcards to each valet engaged in the valet service, each parkingidentification card comprising a uniquely assigned identifier;registering one of the parking identification cards with the nearestsmart parking device upon parking of a motor vehicle in one of thereserved parking spaces; associating the registered parkingidentification card with means for entering and starting the parkedmotor vehicle; and upon providing the identifier comprised on theparking identification card to the parking server, retrieving a locationof the smart parking device that is nearest to the parked motor vehicleto which the entering and starting means associated with the parkingidentification card belongs.
 22. A method according to claim 20, furthercomprising: issuing a set of paper tickets to each valet engaged in thevalet service; registering one of the paper tickets with the nearestsmart parking device upon parking of a motor vehicle in one of thereserved parking spaces; receiving a valet event number from the smartparking device, which is recorded onto or associated with the registeredpaper ticket; associating the registered paper ticket with means forentering and starting the parked motor vehicle; and upon providing thevalet event number recorded onto or associated with the paper ticket tothe parking server, retrieving a location of the smart parking devicethat is nearest to the parked motor vehicle to which the entering andstarting means associated with the paper ticket belongs.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 20, further comprising: determining an identity ofeach motor vehicle parked by a valet engaged in the valet service thatis parked in one of the reserved parking spaces through the nearestsmart parking device; and upon providing the motor vehicle's identity tothe parking server, retrieving a location of the smart parking devicethat is nearest to the parked motor vehicle to which the identitybelongs.
 24. A method according to claim 20, further comprising: storingan identity of each valet engaged in the valet service with the parkingserver; determining the identity of the valet that is parking a motorvehicle in one of the reserved parking spaces through the nearest smartparking device; and upon providing the valet's identity to the parkingserver, retrieving a location of the smart parking device that isnearest to the parked motor vehicle to which the identity belongs.